“Intending to minister love and aid to thousands, our entire GO TELL Team came away knowing that we had received far more than we had given. The Russian people grabbed our hearts and will never let them go.”
GO TELL Volunteer Team, 2006
Ministering love and hope in the city of Bryansk, Russia, Rick Gage and 20 GO TELL Team volunteers were recently used of God to lead 130 precious Russian people to Christ, while encouraging and ministering aid to thousands.
The GO TELL Team consisted of volunteers from fourteen different churches throughout the Southeast and Texas and included two medical doctors. The gospel was shared through evangelistic meetings and in schools, churches, orphanages, hospitals, on the streets, and from door to door.
Over 800 pounds of food, clothing, and medical supplies were distributed, along with more than 500 New Testaments in the Russian language, 2,000 gospel bracelets, and hundreds of gospel tracts and Christian literature. The medical doctors provided medical assistance and diagnosed children’s ailments in several orphanages.
“Our team’s efforts are not without sacrifice,” said Bob Thompson who leads Gage’s overseas ministry teams and logged his 25th trip to Russia, “but while ministering love and aid to thousands, we always come away feeling that we receive far more than we give.”
School teacher Laynne Earnest from Tupelo, Mississippi, was one of the trip’s volunteers. She became concerned for the Russian people when she attended a GO TELL Camp last summer with young people from her church and saw a video clip of the previous Russia Mission Trip.
“I was immediately drawn to the faces of the children,” she said. “I really tried to dismiss it as reasonable because I deal with children daily. It was more than that! I could not get the faces of those children out of my mind; their eyes were so hopeless. I began praying immediately; almost trying to talk God out of what I believed He was telling me.
“I obeyed the Lord and went to Russia, and at every turn He confirmed that He had me there for reasons that will shape my life forever. I went expecting to join with my team to be used of God to bless others, and came away blessed beyond measure! The smiles on the faces of the children warmed my heart and to see a glimmer of encouragement sparked in a brother or sister's eye to keep pushing toward the Kingdom in Russia was truly a work of God. I will never forget this experience! To be God's hands and feet in fulfilling the Great Commission has truly been a defining moment in my life.”
Volunteer Crystal Pierce of Tampa, Florida, almost missed her connecting flight when her plane from Tampa was delayed. She said of the trip, “My experience while in Russia was extraordinary. God showed Himself strong at every point. From the Tampa airport being closed so that my flight was late to Atlanta and getting there to find the captain of the plane had held it for me, to seeing an interpreter in Russia ask one of our team to help her find Christ while standing in the snow, my heart was warmed and challenged. Praise swelled in me as we ministered to precious children, telling them and their workers of the love of Christ.
“The Lord opened my eyes to a world that is far bigger than Florida, a world that needs love and hope and Jesus. JOY truly is Jesus, others, and you--last. That is exactly what I found to be true while ministering and serving with the GO TELL team. The trip to Russia was, and always will be, unforgettable. I am already planning to go again next year for another very meaningful and awesome trip.
Dannie and Beckie Dempsey have been going to Russia with the GO TELL Overseas Team for the past six years. Says Dannie, “Each time I go, I feel that it cannot get any better, and each time God shows me more and more of His miraculous working. Each year I find myself opening up to the people of Russia as well as the other team members in ways that I usually would not at home.
“I’ve seen the Lord reach into hundreds of Russian hearts with His love. Going back year after year to share and pray with our Russian brothers and sisters in Christ greatly strengthens and uplifts them. They receive an indescribable blessing just from us showing our love and care for them. I come home each year on fire for God, feeling rejuvenated and longing to keep working for Him and seeing the same moving of the Holy Spirit here in America.”
Teenage volunteer Jessica Wetherington of Centerville, Georgia, commented, “Going to Russia was a very big eye-opener for me as a Christian young woman. Growing up in a Christian home was something I was used to and being around Christians was a lot easier than being around non-Christians.
“Over the summer I made the decision at one of Mr. Rick's camps to go to Russia. At first, I thought it was just a conscious decision, but as I searched deeper, I realized it was God speaking to my heart. My best friend Brittany had gone to Russia two years earlier with Rick Gage and the team. She told me that this trip would change my life forever, and she was absolutely right. Now I know what it really means to be a Christian and to love and give of myself to others, depending on Christ to help me to share my faith as I find my strength in Him.”
Everything that is done through the many outreaches of GO TELL Ministries revolves around the central purpose of evangelizing the world and making disciples. Ministering love and hope overseas is a vital aspect of the ministries.
Since beginning its ministry in Russia in 1992, God has greatly blessed the efforts of the GO TELL Overseas Team as they have seen literally thousands of Russians come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, while also ministering to the physical needs of the people.
“The Spirit of God is moving in Russia, a land greatly in need of hope,” says Rick Gage. “It is amazing year after year to see Russian men, women, and children giving their lives to the Lord. Those who go on an overseas mission trip with us are forever changed as they share their faith and experience the power of God in a foreign land.”
Rick Gage has witnessed countless decisions for Christ through his many evangelistic outreaches in America and abroad. Rick Gage GO TELL Ministries include crusades, summer youth camps, school assemblies, church revivals, and overseas mission trips.
“Everywhere I go people are personally embracing the gospel message,” says Rick. “It is the only hope for the individual, for society, and for the world. Saturating our communities across America and the world with the gospel must be done at all costs. It takes time, money, and involvement to reach lost people, but it will be eternally worth it one day.”
For more information about Rick Gage GO TELL Ministries, please call 1-866-I-GO-TELL; email at info@gotellministries.com or visit his website at www.gotellministries.com.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Evangelist brings his message to youths
By Mary Jimenez
The Shreveport Times
With big business targeting youths with soft drinks, music, movies an other products, Rick Gage has made it his life mission to join them.
“If corporate America has a strategy for teens, don’t you think we ought to have a strategy?” said Gage, an ex-football coach turned evangelist, who spoke in Shreveport on Sunday at the Summer Grove Baptist Church, Road to March Madness Youth Rally and at the evening service.
In the 18 years of Gage’s Go Tell Ministry, he’s reached more than 2 million students in his On Track program and also serves youths in his Go Tell Crusades all over the country and in his Youth Camps held in Georgia, Florida, Virginia and Texas each summer.
About 200 students in the youth program at Summer Grove Baptist plan to attend Gage’s camp in June.
“ This is our kick-off for signing up for camp, “ said Nancy Reynolds, assistant for the student ministries program at the church, “and a way for them to get to know who Rick Gage is and get excited about going.”
Part of Gage’s emphasis on youth is simple math.
“There are more teens today than at any other time in history, “Gage said. “I look at it as an opportunity to make the greatest difference.”
Gage lives in Atlanta, GA. with his wife and two daughters.
He’s a son of evangelist, Freddie Gage, and says it wasn’t until he was 25 that he realized he was following the wrong road.
After listening to Christian preacher James Robinson in 1984, the then Texas Tech assistant coach got his first calling to be an evangelist.
“I came from a Christian home, a great ministry and great churches,” Gage said. “But it wasn’t until then that I realized I didn’t have the real thing. I got down on my knees and wept.”
In 1986, Gage left coaching behind for good and turned to what God had called him to do. But, he says, it wasn’t without taking some of his coaching skills with him.
“The sign of a great coach is getting the most out of your players,” he said. “The same thing goes for the ministry. You want to motivate them to be their best.”
His dynamic motivating style connected with close to 200 students at the morning rally.
“I was ready for something different,” said Tyler Sipes, 17, a senior in the youth group.
“It’s good to have speakers from different aspects of life. If people can relate to a speaker the more likely they are to get something from it.”
The Shreveport Times
With big business targeting youths with soft drinks, music, movies an other products, Rick Gage has made it his life mission to join them.
“If corporate America has a strategy for teens, don’t you think we ought to have a strategy?” said Gage, an ex-football coach turned evangelist, who spoke in Shreveport on Sunday at the Summer Grove Baptist Church, Road to March Madness Youth Rally and at the evening service.
In the 18 years of Gage’s Go Tell Ministry, he’s reached more than 2 million students in his On Track program and also serves youths in his Go Tell Crusades all over the country and in his Youth Camps held in Georgia, Florida, Virginia and Texas each summer.
About 200 students in the youth program at Summer Grove Baptist plan to attend Gage’s camp in June.
“ This is our kick-off for signing up for camp, “ said Nancy Reynolds, assistant for the student ministries program at the church, “and a way for them to get to know who Rick Gage is and get excited about going.”
Part of Gage’s emphasis on youth is simple math.
“There are more teens today than at any other time in history, “Gage said. “I look at it as an opportunity to make the greatest difference.”
Gage lives in Atlanta, GA. with his wife and two daughters.
He’s a son of evangelist, Freddie Gage, and says it wasn’t until he was 25 that he realized he was following the wrong road.
After listening to Christian preacher James Robinson in 1984, the then Texas Tech assistant coach got his first calling to be an evangelist.
“I came from a Christian home, a great ministry and great churches,” Gage said. “But it wasn’t until then that I realized I didn’t have the real thing. I got down on my knees and wept.”
In 1986, Gage left coaching behind for good and turned to what God had called him to do. But, he says, it wasn’t without taking some of his coaching skills with him.
“The sign of a great coach is getting the most out of your players,” he said. “The same thing goes for the ministry. You want to motivate them to be their best.”
His dynamic motivating style connected with close to 200 students at the morning rally.
“I was ready for something different,” said Tyler Sipes, 17, a senior in the youth group.
“It’s good to have speakers from different aspects of life. If people can relate to a speaker the more likely they are to get something from it.”
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Evangelist Rick Gage continues Go Tell push in U.S. towns
By: Ruth McClellan
Visit www.bpnews.net for the latest news from Baptist Press!
DUBLIN, Ga. (BP)--Year by year, Rick Gage and his evangelistic team stop by a few more towns across America to proclaim the Gospel.
In recent years, the Go Tell crusade itinerary has included Gaffney and Hartsville, S.C.; San Saba and Clarendon, Texas; Prescott, Ariz.; Gainesville, Lincolnton, Swainsboro and Morgan County, Ga.; Gardendale, Ala.; and London, Ky.
“God has burdened my heart to take the Gospel to as many towns as possible in my lifetime,” Gage said.
The Gospel imparts hope -– “hope for the individual, for society and for the world,” he said. “Saturating our communities across America with the Gospel must be done at all costs. It takes time, money and involvement to reach lost people, but it will be eternally worth it one day.”
And at each stop, “people are personally embracing the Gospel message,” Gage said.
In Dublin, Ga., predictions of rain each evening failed to deter thousands from trekking to West Laurens High School Football Stadium earlier this year for a four-night crusade that transcended the soggy weather.
By the conclusion of the outreach, 465 decisions had been recorded, including 211 first-time professions of faith in Christ.
“It was an awesome experience to sit on the stage and watch each night as people came forward and to see their lives miraculously changed by the power of God,” crusade chairman Skip Evans, a local businessman, said.
“There is excitement in our county,” Evans said. People have continued to talk “about what the Lord did, and our hearts are filled with gratitude. I truly believe the impact of this crusade will have far-reaching results and will be felt for years to come. The possibilities are limitless as we all continue to work together to see this move of God continue.”
“It was overwhelming to walk through the counseling section in the end zone after each service,” crusade co-chair Anne Payne said, “and see ordinary people with their Bibles open, loving others to Christ. It was a tremendous witnessing effort I will never forget.”
Pastor Joe Sloakum of Poplar Springs North Baptist Church rejoiced in how churches “came together across denominational and racial lines with a united goal of loving and reaching people.”
“We worked together, and that common bond enabled us to see people come to Christ who would never set foot in a church,” Sloakum continued. “We carried church to them and introduced them to Christ. The first Sunday morning after the crusade, I looked out over our congregation at people who had never been in a church except for a wedding or a funeral. Now they were worshiping the Lord with us for the first time, and it was truly a beautiful thing to see.”
John Drake, associate pastor of First United Methodist Church and chairman of the crusade’s counselors and follow-up committee, said God “moved in mighty ways, changing lives all across the community. Unchurched people found Christ as Savior; ministers were revitalized; and scores were brought to a closer walk with Christ. Church members saw those for whom they had prayed for many years come to Christ. Nothing will build up your faith more than that.”
The Go Tell team conducted 14 “On Track” programs in area middle and high schools during the May 7-10 crusade, addressing more than 6,000 students about life’s choices and the dangers of drugs, alcohol abuse, teen suicide and premarital sex.
At Trinity Christian School, students made more than 60 decisions for Christ.
“The crusade was awesome — one of the greatest things that has ever happened in my life,” Trinity student Charlsie Gerrard said. “Our football coach brought the entire team to the crusade straight from practice. They were still in their uniforms.”
More than 4,000 people attended the Wednesday youth night, and 1,000-plus students were treated to free pizza prior to the service.
“As you looked out during the invitation time,” Gerrard said, “it was an amazing sight to see many bowed in prayer in their uniforms all over the end zone. Lifetime decisions for Christ were made.”
For more information about Rick Gage Go Tell Ministries, e-mail info@gotellministries.com or visit www.gotellministries.com.
Copyright (c) 2006 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press. Visit www.bpnews.net. BP News -- witness the difference! Covering the critical issues that shape your life, work and ministry. BP News is a ministry of Baptist Press, the daily news service of Southern Baptists.
Visit www.bpnews.net for the latest news from Baptist Press!
DUBLIN, Ga. (BP)--Year by year, Rick Gage and his evangelistic team stop by a few more towns across America to proclaim the Gospel.
In recent years, the Go Tell crusade itinerary has included Gaffney and Hartsville, S.C.; San Saba and Clarendon, Texas; Prescott, Ariz.; Gainesville, Lincolnton, Swainsboro and Morgan County, Ga.; Gardendale, Ala.; and London, Ky.
“God has burdened my heart to take the Gospel to as many towns as possible in my lifetime,” Gage said.
The Gospel imparts hope -– “hope for the individual, for society and for the world,” he said. “Saturating our communities across America with the Gospel must be done at all costs. It takes time, money and involvement to reach lost people, but it will be eternally worth it one day.”
And at each stop, “people are personally embracing the Gospel message,” Gage said.
In Dublin, Ga., predictions of rain each evening failed to deter thousands from trekking to West Laurens High School Football Stadium earlier this year for a four-night crusade that transcended the soggy weather.
By the conclusion of the outreach, 465 decisions had been recorded, including 211 first-time professions of faith in Christ.
“It was an awesome experience to sit on the stage and watch each night as people came forward and to see their lives miraculously changed by the power of God,” crusade chairman Skip Evans, a local businessman, said.
“There is excitement in our county,” Evans said. People have continued to talk “about what the Lord did, and our hearts are filled with gratitude. I truly believe the impact of this crusade will have far-reaching results and will be felt for years to come. The possibilities are limitless as we all continue to work together to see this move of God continue.”
“It was overwhelming to walk through the counseling section in the end zone after each service,” crusade co-chair Anne Payne said, “and see ordinary people with their Bibles open, loving others to Christ. It was a tremendous witnessing effort I will never forget.”
Pastor Joe Sloakum of Poplar Springs North Baptist Church rejoiced in how churches “came together across denominational and racial lines with a united goal of loving and reaching people.”
“We worked together, and that common bond enabled us to see people come to Christ who would never set foot in a church,” Sloakum continued. “We carried church to them and introduced them to Christ. The first Sunday morning after the crusade, I looked out over our congregation at people who had never been in a church except for a wedding or a funeral. Now they were worshiping the Lord with us for the first time, and it was truly a beautiful thing to see.”
John Drake, associate pastor of First United Methodist Church and chairman of the crusade’s counselors and follow-up committee, said God “moved in mighty ways, changing lives all across the community. Unchurched people found Christ as Savior; ministers were revitalized; and scores were brought to a closer walk with Christ. Church members saw those for whom they had prayed for many years come to Christ. Nothing will build up your faith more than that.”
The Go Tell team conducted 14 “On Track” programs in area middle and high schools during the May 7-10 crusade, addressing more than 6,000 students about life’s choices and the dangers of drugs, alcohol abuse, teen suicide and premarital sex.
At Trinity Christian School, students made more than 60 decisions for Christ.
“The crusade was awesome — one of the greatest things that has ever happened in my life,” Trinity student Charlsie Gerrard said. “Our football coach brought the entire team to the crusade straight from practice. They were still in their uniforms.”
More than 4,000 people attended the Wednesday youth night, and 1,000-plus students were treated to free pizza prior to the service.
“As you looked out during the invitation time,” Gerrard said, “it was an amazing sight to see many bowed in prayer in their uniforms all over the end zone. Lifetime decisions for Christ were made.”
For more information about Rick Gage Go Tell Ministries, e-mail info@gotellministries.com or visit www.gotellministries.com.
Copyright (c) 2006 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press. Visit www.bpnews.net. BP News -- witness the difference! Covering the critical issues that shape your life, work and ministry. BP News is a ministry of Baptist Press, the daily news service of Southern Baptists.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Eight hundred at "Go Tell Camp," at SFA
By EMILY TARAVELLA, The Daily Sentinel
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Eight hundred junior high and high school students from across the United States are in Nacogdoches this week at "Go Tell Camp," a ministry started in 1989 by Rick Gage, a former college football coach turned evangelist.
Over the past 18 years, more than 75,000 teens and leaders have participated in Go Tell Camps in Georgia, Florida, Texas and Virginia, Gage said.
"It's hard to measure the impact this camp has had on these lives over many years," Gage said. "The two things we're told that people get out of these camps are that they leave with a greater passion for Christ and with a greater passion to reach the unsaved. If we've accomplished that every summer, we've accomplished a lot. We all need a greater passion for the Lord, and we all need a greater passion to reach the lost."
Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport, La. sent about 144 students and 15 adults to camp this week.
DeAnn Bazzell, Kim Thompson and Christa DiPaul, three of the trip sponsors, said the students have been enjoying the activities and speakers.
Josh Davis, winner of five Olympic medals in swimming, spoke to the teens Monday. Rick Stanley, step-brother of Elvis Presley, spoke Tuesday; Danny Forshee, an evangelist from Dallas-Fort Worth spoke Wednesday; and Bo Pilgrim, chairman of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, will speak Thursday.
"Josh Davis let them pass around his gold medal," Thompson said. "The students actually got to touch it."
Gage said Davis is a friend to the ministry who first spoke at a Go Tell crusade years ago.
"He's a dynamic believer," Gage said. "He's now training for the 2008 Olympics in China. He lives in San Antonio, and he attends (Christian author) Max Lucado's church. He is a charismatic, gifted communicator with a heart for kids."
Gage said Stanley's life story also touches the teens, and he said Forshee is a gifted speaker.
"Bo Pilgrim makes several appearances at our camps each year," Gage said. "He is one of the greatest servants of God I've ever met. He's a big believer in what we do."
In addition to the guest speakers, campers are hearing this week from Larry Graves, camp pastor, who speaks to them about relationships.
Bazzell said she believes her church youth group will gain from this week's experience.
"We want unity for our youth group, and we want them to know what they believe so they will be able to share it," Bazzell said. "We want them to understand biblical conviction."
Lonnie Dunn, a sponsor whom the Summer Grove Baptist teens affectionately call "Papaw," said he hopes each teen will leave camp with "a new touch from the Holy Spirit."
The teens are also taking time this week to write encouraging notes to one another.
In their recreation time, they are competing in sports, swimming and attending workshops, such as the "Common Ground" worship band workshop, and the "From the Branch" drama group workshop.
As part of an outreach project, some of the teens hosted a free carwash Wednesday at Wal-Mart.
Gage and the Go Tell crusade team, which includes Stanley, visit local prisons, youth homes and high schools, where the nationally acclaimed "On Track" school assembly program focuses on life's choices concerning drugs, alcohol abuse, teen suicide and premarital sex, according to a press release from the ministry.
To date, "On Track" has touched 2 million students, according to information from the ministry.
"We cultivate our crusades from the camps," Gage said. "They're like Billy Graham's crusades, except we have them in small towns instead of big cities. We also have an overseas ministry. Since 1992, we've had a ministry in the former Soviet Union, and we'll take 30 or 40 people there in November."
Organizing camps, such as the one at SFA this week, is a year-long process, Gage said.
"We're already making plans for the 2007 camps," he said.
Emily Taravella's e-mail address is etaravella@coxnews.com.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Eight hundred junior high and high school students from across the United States are in Nacogdoches this week at "Go Tell Camp," a ministry started in 1989 by Rick Gage, a former college football coach turned evangelist.
Over the past 18 years, more than 75,000 teens and leaders have participated in Go Tell Camps in Georgia, Florida, Texas and Virginia, Gage said.
"It's hard to measure the impact this camp has had on these lives over many years," Gage said. "The two things we're told that people get out of these camps are that they leave with a greater passion for Christ and with a greater passion to reach the unsaved. If we've accomplished that every summer, we've accomplished a lot. We all need a greater passion for the Lord, and we all need a greater passion to reach the lost."
Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport, La. sent about 144 students and 15 adults to camp this week.
DeAnn Bazzell, Kim Thompson and Christa DiPaul, three of the trip sponsors, said the students have been enjoying the activities and speakers.
Josh Davis, winner of five Olympic medals in swimming, spoke to the teens Monday. Rick Stanley, step-brother of Elvis Presley, spoke Tuesday; Danny Forshee, an evangelist from Dallas-Fort Worth spoke Wednesday; and Bo Pilgrim, chairman of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, will speak Thursday.
"Josh Davis let them pass around his gold medal," Thompson said. "The students actually got to touch it."
Gage said Davis is a friend to the ministry who first spoke at a Go Tell crusade years ago.
"He's a dynamic believer," Gage said. "He's now training for the 2008 Olympics in China. He lives in San Antonio, and he attends (Christian author) Max Lucado's church. He is a charismatic, gifted communicator with a heart for kids."
Gage said Stanley's life story also touches the teens, and he said Forshee is a gifted speaker.
"Bo Pilgrim makes several appearances at our camps each year," Gage said. "He is one of the greatest servants of God I've ever met. He's a big believer in what we do."
In addition to the guest speakers, campers are hearing this week from Larry Graves, camp pastor, who speaks to them about relationships.
Bazzell said she believes her church youth group will gain from this week's experience.
"We want unity for our youth group, and we want them to know what they believe so they will be able to share it," Bazzell said. "We want them to understand biblical conviction."
Lonnie Dunn, a sponsor whom the Summer Grove Baptist teens affectionately call "Papaw," said he hopes each teen will leave camp with "a new touch from the Holy Spirit."
The teens are also taking time this week to write encouraging notes to one another.
In their recreation time, they are competing in sports, swimming and attending workshops, such as the "Common Ground" worship band workshop, and the "From the Branch" drama group workshop.
As part of an outreach project, some of the teens hosted a free carwash Wednesday at Wal-Mart.
Gage and the Go Tell crusade team, which includes Stanley, visit local prisons, youth homes and high schools, where the nationally acclaimed "On Track" school assembly program focuses on life's choices concerning drugs, alcohol abuse, teen suicide and premarital sex, according to a press release from the ministry.
To date, "On Track" has touched 2 million students, according to information from the ministry.
"We cultivate our crusades from the camps," Gage said. "They're like Billy Graham's crusades, except we have them in small towns instead of big cities. We also have an overseas ministry. Since 1992, we've had a ministry in the former Soviet Union, and we'll take 30 or 40 people there in November."
Organizing camps, such as the one at SFA this week, is a year-long process, Gage said.
"We're already making plans for the 2007 camps," he said.
Emily Taravella's e-mail address is etaravella@coxnews.com.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Crusade kickoff draws 1,000
The Gaffney Ledger
Crusade kickoff draws 1,000
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer
spowell@gaffneyledger.com
Youngsters from Kirby Memorial Baptist Church enjoy a meal before joining 80 church youths as servers at Thursday’s kickoff event for a May 21-24 crusade led by evangelist Rick Gage. Nearly 1,000 people attended the kickoff event at Broad River Electric Convention Center.
Nearly 1,000 local residents attended a kickoff event Thursday evening at the Broad River Electric Convention Center to begin preparations for a crusade that evangelist Rick Gage will lead in May in Gaffney.
Gage hopes the W.K. Brumbach Stadium at Gaffney Middle School will be filled to capacity May 21-24 at 7 p.m. nightly for his Upstate Carolina Go Tell Crusade. Rick Stanley, a half brother of Elvis Presley, is among the guest speakers who will join Gage in sharing the Gospel.
“About 60 percent of Cherokee County residents are unchurched. We want to cast out a vision and burden for leading lost people to Christ by sharing the Gospel,” Gage said. “There is nothing more dearer to the heart of God than leading sinners to salvation.”
It’s a burden Gage has felt since 1986 when he quit his assistant coaching position at Liberty University to follow in his father’s footsteps into full-time evangelism. He had rebelled earlier in his life by becoming involved in alcohol and drugs while pursuing his dream of becoming a college football coach.
“I thought football would fill the hole in my heart. I was wrong,” said Gage in his book “More than a Game.” “The greatest thing a person can do is to bring another person to Christ.”
More than 60 churches have joined Broad River Baptist Association in working with Rick Gage Ministries to plan the crusade. Churches will provide personnel to help with the months of preparation, the actual crusade days and the extensive follow-ups with people who make decisions to follow Jesus Christ.
Local residents are being sought to serve on committees dealing with tasks such as attendance, program arrangements, counseling and follow-ups, fundraising, outreach, music, publicity and ushering. A proposed budget puts the total cost of staging the crusade at $72,000.
It’s an effort which will extend well beyond the 300member community chorus that crusade organizers hope will perform at W.K. Brumbach Stadium.
Ministers will play a key role in the success of the crusade in May.
“The most influential voice in the church comes from the pulpit. We need pastors to give this crusade priority,” Gage said. “Our vision is an army of God working to help share the Gospel.”
Gage is the founder of Go Tell Ministries and holds annual Go Tell summer camps to reach teenagers. He has spoken in many schools about young people’s abuse of alcohol, drugs and other moral issues such as premarital sex.
“We need for teenagers to stand guard against anything that can ruin and destroy their lives,” Gage said. “One of our goals in this crusade is to reach out to teenagers and help them become winners in life.”
Crusade kickoff draws 1,000
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer
spowell@gaffneyledger.com
Youngsters from Kirby Memorial Baptist Church enjoy a meal before joining 80 church youths as servers at Thursday’s kickoff event for a May 21-24 crusade led by evangelist Rick Gage. Nearly 1,000 people attended the kickoff event at Broad River Electric Convention Center.
Nearly 1,000 local residents attended a kickoff event Thursday evening at the Broad River Electric Convention Center to begin preparations for a crusade that evangelist Rick Gage will lead in May in Gaffney.
Gage hopes the W.K. Brumbach Stadium at Gaffney Middle School will be filled to capacity May 21-24 at 7 p.m. nightly for his Upstate Carolina Go Tell Crusade. Rick Stanley, a half brother of Elvis Presley, is among the guest speakers who will join Gage in sharing the Gospel.
“About 60 percent of Cherokee County residents are unchurched. We want to cast out a vision and burden for leading lost people to Christ by sharing the Gospel,” Gage said. “There is nothing more dearer to the heart of God than leading sinners to salvation.”
It’s a burden Gage has felt since 1986 when he quit his assistant coaching position at Liberty University to follow in his father’s footsteps into full-time evangelism. He had rebelled earlier in his life by becoming involved in alcohol and drugs while pursuing his dream of becoming a college football coach.
“I thought football would fill the hole in my heart. I was wrong,” said Gage in his book “More than a Game.” “The greatest thing a person can do is to bring another person to Christ.”
More than 60 churches have joined Broad River Baptist Association in working with Rick Gage Ministries to plan the crusade. Churches will provide personnel to help with the months of preparation, the actual crusade days and the extensive follow-ups with people who make decisions to follow Jesus Christ.
Local residents are being sought to serve on committees dealing with tasks such as attendance, program arrangements, counseling and follow-ups, fundraising, outreach, music, publicity and ushering. A proposed budget puts the total cost of staging the crusade at $72,000.
It’s an effort which will extend well beyond the 300member community chorus that crusade organizers hope will perform at W.K. Brumbach Stadium.
Ministers will play a key role in the success of the crusade in May.
“The most influential voice in the church comes from the pulpit. We need pastors to give this crusade priority,” Gage said. “Our vision is an army of God working to help share the Gospel.”
Gage is the founder of Go Tell Ministries and holds annual Go Tell summer camps to reach teenagers. He has spoken in many schools about young people’s abuse of alcohol, drugs and other moral issues such as premarital sex.
“We need for teenagers to stand guard against anything that can ruin and destroy their lives,” Gage said. “One of our goals in this crusade is to reach out to teenagers and help them become winners in life.”
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Feb. 9 banquet will kick off crusade
The Gaffney Ledger
Feb. 9 banquet will kick off crusade
By SCOTT BAUGHMAN
Ledger Staff Writer
scottb@gaffneyledger.com
It’s been more than 30 years since Gaffney and Cherokee County have seen a community crusade. But if the Broad River Baptist Association and dozens of local churches can garner community support, they might bring back an old-fashioned tent revival with a new millennium flavor.
“Since returning to Cherokee County to become Director of Missions of the association I have had a burden for lost and unchurched people,” said Donnie Padgett. “How do we reach people? What is the best way? How can churches work together for this purpose? I shared my burden with the Gaffney Ministerial Association and others had the same concerns. After months of prayer and discussion we have invited Rick Gage, a nationally known evangelist, to come and lead an area wide crusade at the football stadium and speak in our schools.”
As part of a committee chaired by local auto dealer Sam Burns, Padgett and other ministers settled on the idea of a crusade with Gage at the helm due to the evangelist’s personal history.
“One of the reasons we picked Rick is, his father is a nationally known evangelist out of Texas,” Padgett explained. “And Rick rebelled against his father’s teaching and Christ and fell into a life of drug abuse and alcohol. He had planned on becoming a college football coach, since he was an athlete in his school days, but God turned his life around and he became an evangelist himself. I think that background really gives him a great story to tell to our kids.”
Although the event is several months away, work has already begun on preparing for Gage and his team to arrive.
“The dates of the crusade will be Sunday, May 21, through Wednesday, May 24,” Padgett said. “It will be for all denominations and all churches. Our prayer is that all the people of faith in our community will be a part of the crusade. A kickoff banquet will be held on Feb. 9 at Broad River Electric Convention Center. We hope to have four to five hundred people attend. Rick will be the speaker and share what a successful crusade could mean to our community. We hope that most churches can sponsor a table at $150 and fill it with their invited guests. Some churches may choose just to sell tickets at $10 each. If the money for a table or tickets is not possible at this time we still want each church to come and fill their table.”
Tickets along with posters and bulletin inserts can be picked up at the Broad River Baptist Mission Center at 100 Railroad Ave. in Gaffney.
Feb. 9 banquet will kick off crusade
By SCOTT BAUGHMAN
Ledger Staff Writer
scottb@gaffneyledger.com
It’s been more than 30 years since Gaffney and Cherokee County have seen a community crusade. But if the Broad River Baptist Association and dozens of local churches can garner community support, they might bring back an old-fashioned tent revival with a new millennium flavor.
“Since returning to Cherokee County to become Director of Missions of the association I have had a burden for lost and unchurched people,” said Donnie Padgett. “How do we reach people? What is the best way? How can churches work together for this purpose? I shared my burden with the Gaffney Ministerial Association and others had the same concerns. After months of prayer and discussion we have invited Rick Gage, a nationally known evangelist, to come and lead an area wide crusade at the football stadium and speak in our schools.”
As part of a committee chaired by local auto dealer Sam Burns, Padgett and other ministers settled on the idea of a crusade with Gage at the helm due to the evangelist’s personal history.
“One of the reasons we picked Rick is, his father is a nationally known evangelist out of Texas,” Padgett explained. “And Rick rebelled against his father’s teaching and Christ and fell into a life of drug abuse and alcohol. He had planned on becoming a college football coach, since he was an athlete in his school days, but God turned his life around and he became an evangelist himself. I think that background really gives him a great story to tell to our kids.”
Although the event is several months away, work has already begun on preparing for Gage and his team to arrive.
“The dates of the crusade will be Sunday, May 21, through Wednesday, May 24,” Padgett said. “It will be for all denominations and all churches. Our prayer is that all the people of faith in our community will be a part of the crusade. A kickoff banquet will be held on Feb. 9 at Broad River Electric Convention Center. We hope to have four to five hundred people attend. Rick will be the speaker and share what a successful crusade could mean to our community. We hope that most churches can sponsor a table at $150 and fill it with their invited guests. Some churches may choose just to sell tickets at $10 each. If the money for a table or tickets is not possible at this time we still want each church to come and fill their table.”
Tickets along with posters and bulletin inserts can be picked up at the Broad River Baptist Mission Center at 100 Railroad Ave. in Gaffney.
Crusade kickoff banquet this Thursday
The Gaffney Ledger
Crusade kickoff banquet this Thursday
In most places a countywide revival conducted by a traveling evangelists are a thing of the past or something reserved for large cities in huge venues, but this spring nationally prominent evangelist Rick Gage will deliver a message of hope to Cherokee County and beyond.
In preparation for the May 21-24 Go Tell Crusade, a kickoff banquet will be held Thursday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. in the Broad River Electric Convention Center in Gaffney.
During the banquet, Gage will talk about his testimony and encourage people to get involved with the crusade. The banquet is both an informational meeting and a fundraising opportunity for the crusade itself.
Gage, the founder of Go Tell Ministries, has been involved in more than 500 evangelistic crusades, rallies, conferences and overseas missions trips and has seen tens of thousands make public decisions for Christ.
The former college football coach has been called the “Billy Graham of small towns” bringing the Gospel message to communities that would otherwise not have the opportunity to be part of an evangelistic crusade for more than a decade.
Many well-known individuals have spoken with Gage or endorsed his ministry including: current NFL MVP and Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander, Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden, Clemson head coach Tommy Bowden, former Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka, motivational speaker Zig Ziglar, Campus Crusade for Christ speaker Josh McDowell and Rick Stanley, who is scheduled to be at the Upstate Crusade, an evangelist and step-brother of Elvis Presley.
For more information about the banquet or the May 21-24 crusade, please call (864) 4893119 or email brba@bellsouth.net. For more information about Rick Gage and Go Tell Ministries, please call 1866-I GO TELL.
Crusade kickoff banquet this Thursday
In most places a countywide revival conducted by a traveling evangelists are a thing of the past or something reserved for large cities in huge venues, but this spring nationally prominent evangelist Rick Gage will deliver a message of hope to Cherokee County and beyond.
In preparation for the May 21-24 Go Tell Crusade, a kickoff banquet will be held Thursday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. in the Broad River Electric Convention Center in Gaffney.
During the banquet, Gage will talk about his testimony and encourage people to get involved with the crusade. The banquet is both an informational meeting and a fundraising opportunity for the crusade itself.
Gage, the founder of Go Tell Ministries, has been involved in more than 500 evangelistic crusades, rallies, conferences and overseas missions trips and has seen tens of thousands make public decisions for Christ.
The former college football coach has been called the “Billy Graham of small towns” bringing the Gospel message to communities that would otherwise not have the opportunity to be part of an evangelistic crusade for more than a decade.
Many well-known individuals have spoken with Gage or endorsed his ministry including: current NFL MVP and Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander, Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden, Clemson head coach Tommy Bowden, former Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka, motivational speaker Zig Ziglar, Campus Crusade for Christ speaker Josh McDowell and Rick Stanley, who is scheduled to be at the Upstate Crusade, an evangelist and step-brother of Elvis Presley.
For more information about the banquet or the May 21-24 crusade, please call (864) 4893119 or email brba@bellsouth.net. For more information about Rick Gage and Go Tell Ministries, please call 1866-I GO TELL.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Go Tell Crusade kicks off Sunday
The Gaffney Ledger
Go Tell Crusade kicks off Sunday
By SCOTT BAUGHMAN Ledger Staff Writer
scottb@gaffneyledger.com
Gaffney's W.K. Brumbach Stadium will be the centerpiece of the action when the Go Tell Upstate Crusade kicks off Sunday.
"Since returning to Cherokee County to become director of missions of the Broad River Baptist Association I have had a burden for lost and unchurched people," said Donnie Padgett.
"How do we reach people? What is the best way? How can churches work together for this purpose?" he asked. "I shared my burden with the Gaffney Ministerial Association and others had the same concerns. After months of prayer and discussion we have invited Rick Gage, a nationally known evangelist, to come and lead an area wide crusade at the football stadium and speak in our schools."
As part of a committee chaired by local auto dealer Sam Burns, Padgett and other ministers settled on the idea of a crusade with Gage at the helm due to the evangelist's personal history.
"One of the reasons we picked Rick is his father is a nationally known evangelist out of Texas," Padgett explained. "And Rick rebelled against his father's teaching and Christ and fell into a life of drug abuse and alcohol. He had planned on becoming a college football coach since he was an athlete in his school days, but God turned his life around and he became an evangelist himself. I think that background really gives him a great story to tell to our kids."
In addition to Gage, Rick Stanley, Elvis Presley's stepbrother, will speak at the crusade on Monday.
Pilgrim's Pride CEO Bo Pilgrim will share his testimony Tuesday. Stanley became a Christian two months after Elvis' death and has been preaching for 26 years. Pilgrim has developed his firm into the second-largest poultry company in America and Mexico.
Chuck Sullivan will serve as music worship leader while Nashville singer Amy Lowry will perform.
The Restoration Praise Band will provide special music and Christian artist Meka King has recently been added to the program.
"I've always loved music, every genre. I've also always enjoyed singing," King said. "I sang in church since I was 15 years old. But I never thought in a million years that would ultimately be how God would use me. I recognized that something wonderful happened when I sang. God moved and affected people in a way I never expected. He used me to change people's lives."
Clemson Head Football Coach Tommy Bowden will share his Christian faith via video on Youth Night, May 24.
The crusade will be held May 21-24 at 7 p.m. at the stadium. Each event is open to the public.
"We want to make sure everyone who wants to attend can do so," Burns said. "We'll have shuttle buses to help take people to and from the stadium. They'll be at First Baptist Church of Gaffney, Buford Street United Methodist Church and Central Baptist. The shuttles will start around 6 p.m. and after the service they'll run until everyone has gotten back to their cars. They'll take you straight from your car to the front gate and then back again."
Go Tell Crusade kicks off Sunday
By SCOTT BAUGHMAN Ledger Staff Writer
scottb@gaffneyledger.com
Gaffney's W.K. Brumbach Stadium will be the centerpiece of the action when the Go Tell Upstate Crusade kicks off Sunday.
"Since returning to Cherokee County to become director of missions of the Broad River Baptist Association I have had a burden for lost and unchurched people," said Donnie Padgett.
"How do we reach people? What is the best way? How can churches work together for this purpose?" he asked. "I shared my burden with the Gaffney Ministerial Association and others had the same concerns. After months of prayer and discussion we have invited Rick Gage, a nationally known evangelist, to come and lead an area wide crusade at the football stadium and speak in our schools."
As part of a committee chaired by local auto dealer Sam Burns, Padgett and other ministers settled on the idea of a crusade with Gage at the helm due to the evangelist's personal history.
"One of the reasons we picked Rick is his father is a nationally known evangelist out of Texas," Padgett explained. "And Rick rebelled against his father's teaching and Christ and fell into a life of drug abuse and alcohol. He had planned on becoming a college football coach since he was an athlete in his school days, but God turned his life around and he became an evangelist himself. I think that background really gives him a great story to tell to our kids."
In addition to Gage, Rick Stanley, Elvis Presley's stepbrother, will speak at the crusade on Monday.
Pilgrim's Pride CEO Bo Pilgrim will share his testimony Tuesday. Stanley became a Christian two months after Elvis' death and has been preaching for 26 years. Pilgrim has developed his firm into the second-largest poultry company in America and Mexico.
Chuck Sullivan will serve as music worship leader while Nashville singer Amy Lowry will perform.
The Restoration Praise Band will provide special music and Christian artist Meka King has recently been added to the program.
"I've always loved music, every genre. I've also always enjoyed singing," King said. "I sang in church since I was 15 years old. But I never thought in a million years that would ultimately be how God would use me. I recognized that something wonderful happened when I sang. God moved and affected people in a way I never expected. He used me to change people's lives."
Clemson Head Football Coach Tommy Bowden will share his Christian faith via video on Youth Night, May 24.
The crusade will be held May 21-24 at 7 p.m. at the stadium. Each event is open to the public.
"We want to make sure everyone who wants to attend can do so," Burns said. "We'll have shuttle buses to help take people to and from the stadium. They'll be at First Baptist Church of Gaffney, Buford Street United Methodist Church and Central Baptist. The shuttles will start around 6 p.m. and after the service they'll run until everyone has gotten back to their cars. They'll take you straight from your car to the front gate and then back again."
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Churches prepare for Rick Gage crusade
The Gaffney Ledger
Churches prepare for Rick Gage crusade
By SCOTT BAUGHMAN Ledger Staff Writer scottb@gaffneyledger.com
"This evangelist will tell the truth to young people. Society will not tell young people the truth," said Emily Dale, a student at Spartanburg Technical College who's looking forward to the Go Tell Upstate Rick Gage Crusade coming to Gaffney.
"Having the Crusade come to the Upstate is a good thing," she added. "There is even a special night for youth."
Dale is one of many local church members who are preparing for the former football coach-turned minister to arrive in town for the first tent crusade in the city in almost three decades. She shared her excitement with Crusade workers at a recent meeting.
An army of volunteers, led by Crusade Committee Chairman Sam Burns, has been working almost around the clock to get ready for the event.
Dale's church, Restoration Church of Gaffney, is one of 60 participating in the crusade, scheduled for May 21-24 at the W.K. Brumbach Stadium.
"Emily is a spiritual model for our youth," remarked Rev. Joey Turner,
pastor at Restoration. For Dale, the truth that many young people seek is already clear.
"The truth is," said Emily. "That answer that young people want when they ask the question 'What's my destiny?' It's God. God has His plan for each one of us. He will give his plan to us, and with it, He will give us peace and direction."
Local philanthropist Oscar Fuller, moved by Dale's comments, replied "Because you understand what you do now about God, it puts you in the place for God to use you and to help fulfill your destiny."
Churches prepare for Rick Gage crusade
By SCOTT BAUGHMAN Ledger Staff Writer scottb@gaffneyledger.com
"This evangelist will tell the truth to young people. Society will not tell young people the truth," said Emily Dale, a student at Spartanburg Technical College who's looking forward to the Go Tell Upstate Rick Gage Crusade coming to Gaffney.
"Having the Crusade come to the Upstate is a good thing," she added. "There is even a special night for youth."
Dale is one of many local church members who are preparing for the former football coach-turned minister to arrive in town for the first tent crusade in the city in almost three decades. She shared her excitement with Crusade workers at a recent meeting.
An army of volunteers, led by Crusade Committee Chairman Sam Burns, has been working almost around the clock to get ready for the event.
Dale's church, Restoration Church of Gaffney, is one of 60 participating in the crusade, scheduled for May 21-24 at the W.K. Brumbach Stadium.
"Emily is a spiritual model for our youth," remarked Rev. Joey Turner,
pastor at Restoration. For Dale, the truth that many young people seek is already clear.
"The truth is," said Emily. "That answer that young people want when they ask the question 'What's my destiny?' It's God. God has His plan for each one of us. He will give his plan to us, and with it, He will give us peace and direction."
Local philanthropist Oscar Fuller, moved by Dale's comments, replied "Because you understand what you do now about God, it puts you in the place for God to use you and to help fulfill your destiny."
Crusade nearing goal of $72,238
The Gaffney Ledger
Crusade nearing goal of $72,238
By SCOTT BAUGHMAN Ledger Staff Writer scottb@gaffneyledger.com
Plans for Cherokee County's first community crusade continue with notable speakers announced. And now the committee behind the event is eyeing the completion of a huge goal - raising the money to pay for it.
"We have a little more than $55,000 already spoken for in donations or pledges," committee co-chair Sam Burns told the group at a meeting Friday. "We hope to be able to have 100 percent of our budget taken care of two weeks before the event."
The crusade will be held May 21-24 at 7 p.m. nightly at W.K. Brumbach Stadium. Each event is open to the public. A total budget of $72,233 is needed. Nationally known evangelist Rick Gage will lead the crusade. Gage entered full-time ministry in 1986 after quitting a successful college coaching career to follow in his father's footsteps as an evangelist.
More than 60 churches have joined Broad River Baptist Association in working with Rick Gage Ministries to plan the 4-day event. Those preparations have been ongoing for months. This week, most area churches and many mailboxes will receive crusade update bulletins detailing the progress of various subcommittees.
Rev. Scott Wachter, pastor at Buford Street United Methodist Church (BSUMC), is helping the committee with counseling efforts.
"We need a total of about 400 volunteers to serve as counselors at the Go Tell Upstate Crusade," Wachter said. "The next volunteer training for that will be April 10 at 7 p.m. at BSUMC. Following that, we'll have another session on April 18."
In addition to Gage, Rick Stanley, Elvis Presley's stepbrother, will speak at the crusade on Monday. Pilgrim's Pride CEO Bo Pilgrim will share his testimony Tuesday. Stanley become a Christian two months after Elvis' death and has been preaching for 26 years. Pilgrim has developed his company into the second largest poultry company in America and Mexico.
Chuck Sullivan will serve as music worship leader while Nashville singer Amy Lowry will perform. The Restoration Praise Band will provide special music at the crusade. Clemson Head Football Coach Tommy Bowden will share his Christian faith via video on Youth Night, May 24.
Crusade nearing goal of $72,238
By SCOTT BAUGHMAN Ledger Staff Writer scottb@gaffneyledger.com
Plans for Cherokee County's first community crusade continue with notable speakers announced. And now the committee behind the event is eyeing the completion of a huge goal - raising the money to pay for it.
"We have a little more than $55,000 already spoken for in donations or pledges," committee co-chair Sam Burns told the group at a meeting Friday. "We hope to be able to have 100 percent of our budget taken care of two weeks before the event."
The crusade will be held May 21-24 at 7 p.m. nightly at W.K. Brumbach Stadium. Each event is open to the public. A total budget of $72,233 is needed. Nationally known evangelist Rick Gage will lead the crusade. Gage entered full-time ministry in 1986 after quitting a successful college coaching career to follow in his father's footsteps as an evangelist.
More than 60 churches have joined Broad River Baptist Association in working with Rick Gage Ministries to plan the 4-day event. Those preparations have been ongoing for months. This week, most area churches and many mailboxes will receive crusade update bulletins detailing the progress of various subcommittees.
Rev. Scott Wachter, pastor at Buford Street United Methodist Church (BSUMC), is helping the committee with counseling efforts.
"We need a total of about 400 volunteers to serve as counselors at the Go Tell Upstate Crusade," Wachter said. "The next volunteer training for that will be April 10 at 7 p.m. at BSUMC. Following that, we'll have another session on April 18."
In addition to Gage, Rick Stanley, Elvis Presley's stepbrother, will speak at the crusade on Monday. Pilgrim's Pride CEO Bo Pilgrim will share his testimony Tuesday. Stanley become a Christian two months after Elvis' death and has been preaching for 26 years. Pilgrim has developed his company into the second largest poultry company in America and Mexico.
Chuck Sullivan will serve as music worship leader while Nashville singer Amy Lowry will perform. The Restoration Praise Band will provide special music at the crusade. Clemson Head Football Coach Tommy Bowden will share his Christian faith via video on Youth Night, May 24.
Crusade announces some speakers
The Gaffney Ledger
Crusade announces some speakers
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com
Elvis Presley’s step-brother and the CEO of the country’s second largest poultry company will be among the guest speakers for a May crusade in Gaffney.
Rick Stanley is the step-brother of the late Elvis Presley. Two months after Elvis’ death, Stanley became a Christian and has been preaching for 26 years.
Stanley will join Pilgrim’s Pride CEO Bo Pilgrim for the May 21-24 crusade led by evangelist Rick Gage, Broad River Baptist Association Director of Missions Donnie Padgett said.
Discussions are underway to bring a nationally known sports figure or coach to speak at one of the crusade events.
Pilgrim opened a feed store in 1946. He has developed his company Pilgrim’s Pride into the second largest America and Mexico. The company processes six billion pounds of chicken and 40 million dozen table eggs each year.
The Upstate Carolina Go Tell Crusade will be held at 7 p.m. daily at W.K. Brumbach Stadium.
More than 60 churches have joined Broad River Baptist Association in working with Rick Gage Ministries to plan the crusade.
Chuck Sullivan will serve as music worship leader while Nashville singer Amy Lowery will perform.
Sullivan performed at a kickoff event last week which drew nearly 1,000 residents to Broad River Electric Convention Center.
Sullivan started his own music and worship ministry in 1985 shortly after graduating from Liberty University. He traveled with Dr. Jerry Falwell as a soloist for six years before moving to Nashville.
Sullivan continues to work as a studio session singer with well known arrangers such as Don Marsh, Don Wrytzen, David Clydesdale, Lari Goss and the popular Gaither Homecoming series. He has been the worship leader and music director for Go Tell Crusades since 1998.
Gage, the founder and speaker for this ministry, said he feels called to county seat towns to share the Gospel. He hopes the W.K. Brumbach Stadium will be filled to capacity during the crusade.
“About 60 percent of Cherokee County residents are unchurched. We want to cast out a vision and burden for leading lost people to Christ by sharing the Gospel,” Gage said. “There is nothing more dearer to the heart of God than leading sinners to salvation.”
Gage entered full-time ministry after giving up a promising football career. He quit his assistant coaching position at Liberty University in 1986 to become an evangelist.
Crusade announces some speakers
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com
Elvis Presley’s step-brother and the CEO of the country’s second largest poultry company will be among the guest speakers for a May crusade in Gaffney.
Rick Stanley is the step-brother of the late Elvis Presley. Two months after Elvis’ death, Stanley became a Christian and has been preaching for 26 years.
Stanley will join Pilgrim’s Pride CEO Bo Pilgrim for the May 21-24 crusade led by evangelist Rick Gage, Broad River Baptist Association Director of Missions Donnie Padgett said.
Discussions are underway to bring a nationally known sports figure or coach to speak at one of the crusade events.
Pilgrim opened a feed store in 1946. He has developed his company Pilgrim’s Pride into the second largest America and Mexico. The company processes six billion pounds of chicken and 40 million dozen table eggs each year.
The Upstate Carolina Go Tell Crusade will be held at 7 p.m. daily at W.K. Brumbach Stadium.
More than 60 churches have joined Broad River Baptist Association in working with Rick Gage Ministries to plan the crusade.
Chuck Sullivan will serve as music worship leader while Nashville singer Amy Lowery will perform.
Sullivan performed at a kickoff event last week which drew nearly 1,000 residents to Broad River Electric Convention Center.
Sullivan started his own music and worship ministry in 1985 shortly after graduating from Liberty University. He traveled with Dr. Jerry Falwell as a soloist for six years before moving to Nashville.
Sullivan continues to work as a studio session singer with well known arrangers such as Don Marsh, Don Wrytzen, David Clydesdale, Lari Goss and the popular Gaither Homecoming series. He has been the worship leader and music director for Go Tell Crusades since 1998.
Gage, the founder and speaker for this ministry, said he feels called to county seat towns to share the Gospel. He hopes the W.K. Brumbach Stadium will be filled to capacity during the crusade.
“About 60 percent of Cherokee County residents are unchurched. We want to cast out a vision and burden for leading lost people to Christ by sharing the Gospel,” Gage said. “There is nothing more dearer to the heart of God than leading sinners to salvation.”
Gage entered full-time ministry after giving up a promising football career. He quit his assistant coaching position at Liberty University in 1986 to become an evangelist.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Rick Gage Middle Georgia Crusade Draws Thousands
by Ruth McClellan
May 22, 2006
Evangelist Rick Gage has been filling football stadiums for more than a decade in small towns across America. Many were skeptical that he could do it here in Dublin.
Citizens were astonished when, despite predictions of rain each evening, thousands flocked to West Laurens High School Football Stadium for the four-night event. By the conclusion of the Rick Gage Crusade, 465 spiritual decisions had been recorded, including 211 first-time professions of faith.
Crusade Chairman Skip Evans, a Christian businessman, summarized the impact the crusade had on his life by saying, “It was a tremendous crusade. It was an awesome experience to sit on the stage and watch each night as people came forward and to see their lives miraculously changed by the power of God. There is excitement in our county.
“Everywhere I go people are still talking about what the Lord did, and our hearts are filled with gratitude. I truly believe the impact of this crusade will have far-reaching results and will be felt for years to come. The possibilities are limitless as we all continue to work together to see this move of God continue.”
Crusade Co-chair Anne Payne was especially impressed with the lives that were changed by the crusade. “The Lord really blessed our community,” she said. “It was overwhelming to walk through the counseling section in the end zone after each service and see ordinary people with their Bibles open, loving others to Christ. It was a tremendous witnessing effort I will never forget.”
Pastor Joe Sloakum of Poplar Springs North Baptist Church rejoiced in how the community pulled together for a common purpose. “What God did was incredible. Churches came together across denominational and racial lines with a united goal of loving and reaching people. We worked together, and that common bond enabled us to see people come to Christ who would never set foot in a church. We carried church to them and introduced them to Christ. The first Sunday morning after the crusade, I looked out over our congregation at people who had never been in a church except for a wedding or a funeral. Now they were worshipping the Lord with us for the first time, and it was truly a beautiful thing to see!”
Rick Stanley, an evangelist and step-brother of Elvis Presley, gave the testimony of his life story at the crusade. He has spoken at four Billy Graham crusades.
Associate Pastor of Dublin First United Methodist Church, John Drake, who served as the crusade’s chairman of the Counselors and Follow-up Committee, spoke of his formation of a ministerial association as a result of the crusade. “God moved in mighty ways, changing lives all across the community. Unchurched people found Christ as Savior; ministers were revitalized; and scores were brought to a closer walk with Christ. Church members saw those for whom they had prayed for many years come to Christ. Nothing will build up your faith more than that.”
A Wednesday Youth Night was the culmination of Rick Gage’s outreach to the Middle Georgia region. More than 4,000 people attended that evening; and over 1,000 students (youth) were treated to a free pizza blast prior to the evening service.
Talk of the crusade is still a main topic of conversation in and around Dublin. Miracle stories abound and are readily and excitedly shared. A few include: relationships that were healed; couples united; an alcoholic man saved whose family had prayed for him for years; forgiveness extended; denominational barriers broken down; family members saved—sons and fathers, grandmothers and granddaughters, and young people with tears bringing their friends to Christ.
The GO TELL Crusade Team conducted fourteen ON TRACK School Assembly Programs in area middle and high schools. More than 6,000 students listened intently to sobering talks which addressed issues dealing with life’s choices and the dangers of drugs, alcohol abuse, teen suicide, and premarital sex. These students were invited to attend the crusade.
More than sixty decisions for Christ were made at Trinity Christian School. Says student Charlsie Gerrard, “The crusade was awesome — one of the greatest things that has ever happened in my life. Our football coach brought the entire team to the crusade straight from practice. They were still in their uniforms. As you looked out during the invitation time, it was an amazing sight to see many bowed in prayer in their uniforms all over the end zone. Lifetime decisions for Christ were made, and I can already tell a difference in my school.”
“God has burdened my heart to take the gospel to as many towns as possible in my lifetime,” Gage says. “Everywhere I go, people are personally embracing the gospel message. It is hope for the individual, for society, and for the world. Saturating our communities across America with the gospel must be done at all costs. It takes time, money, and involvement to reach lost people; but it will be eternally worth it one day.”
For more information about Rick Gage GO TELL Ministries, please email info@gotellministries.com or visit his website at www.gotellministries.com.
May 22, 2006
Evangelist Rick Gage has been filling football stadiums for more than a decade in small towns across America. Many were skeptical that he could do it here in Dublin.
Citizens were astonished when, despite predictions of rain each evening, thousands flocked to West Laurens High School Football Stadium for the four-night event. By the conclusion of the Rick Gage Crusade, 465 spiritual decisions had been recorded, including 211 first-time professions of faith.
Crusade Chairman Skip Evans, a Christian businessman, summarized the impact the crusade had on his life by saying, “It was a tremendous crusade. It was an awesome experience to sit on the stage and watch each night as people came forward and to see their lives miraculously changed by the power of God. There is excitement in our county.
“Everywhere I go people are still talking about what the Lord did, and our hearts are filled with gratitude. I truly believe the impact of this crusade will have far-reaching results and will be felt for years to come. The possibilities are limitless as we all continue to work together to see this move of God continue.”
Crusade Co-chair Anne Payne was especially impressed with the lives that were changed by the crusade. “The Lord really blessed our community,” she said. “It was overwhelming to walk through the counseling section in the end zone after each service and see ordinary people with their Bibles open, loving others to Christ. It was a tremendous witnessing effort I will never forget.”
Pastor Joe Sloakum of Poplar Springs North Baptist Church rejoiced in how the community pulled together for a common purpose. “What God did was incredible. Churches came together across denominational and racial lines with a united goal of loving and reaching people. We worked together, and that common bond enabled us to see people come to Christ who would never set foot in a church. We carried church to them and introduced them to Christ. The first Sunday morning after the crusade, I looked out over our congregation at people who had never been in a church except for a wedding or a funeral. Now they were worshipping the Lord with us for the first time, and it was truly a beautiful thing to see!”
Rick Stanley, an evangelist and step-brother of Elvis Presley, gave the testimony of his life story at the crusade. He has spoken at four Billy Graham crusades.
Associate Pastor of Dublin First United Methodist Church, John Drake, who served as the crusade’s chairman of the Counselors and Follow-up Committee, spoke of his formation of a ministerial association as a result of the crusade. “God moved in mighty ways, changing lives all across the community. Unchurched people found Christ as Savior; ministers were revitalized; and scores were brought to a closer walk with Christ. Church members saw those for whom they had prayed for many years come to Christ. Nothing will build up your faith more than that.”
A Wednesday Youth Night was the culmination of Rick Gage’s outreach to the Middle Georgia region. More than 4,000 people attended that evening; and over 1,000 students (youth) were treated to a free pizza blast prior to the evening service.
Talk of the crusade is still a main topic of conversation in and around Dublin. Miracle stories abound and are readily and excitedly shared. A few include: relationships that were healed; couples united; an alcoholic man saved whose family had prayed for him for years; forgiveness extended; denominational barriers broken down; family members saved—sons and fathers, grandmothers and granddaughters, and young people with tears bringing their friends to Christ.
The GO TELL Crusade Team conducted fourteen ON TRACK School Assembly Programs in area middle and high schools. More than 6,000 students listened intently to sobering talks which addressed issues dealing with life’s choices and the dangers of drugs, alcohol abuse, teen suicide, and premarital sex. These students were invited to attend the crusade.
More than sixty decisions for Christ were made at Trinity Christian School. Says student Charlsie Gerrard, “The crusade was awesome — one of the greatest things that has ever happened in my life. Our football coach brought the entire team to the crusade straight from practice. They were still in their uniforms. As you looked out during the invitation time, it was an amazing sight to see many bowed in prayer in their uniforms all over the end zone. Lifetime decisions for Christ were made, and I can already tell a difference in my school.”
“God has burdened my heart to take the gospel to as many towns as possible in my lifetime,” Gage says. “Everywhere I go, people are personally embracing the gospel message. It is hope for the individual, for society, and for the world. Saturating our communities across America with the gospel must be done at all costs. It takes time, money, and involvement to reach lost people; but it will be eternally worth it one day.”
For more information about Rick Gage GO TELL Ministries, please email info@gotellministries.com or visit his website at www.gotellministries.com.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Monday, May 8, 2006
Go Tell Crusade to begin Sunday
The Courier Herald
Go Tell Crusade to begin Sunday
Organizers planning for thousands each night
By BRANDY T. MULLIS
05/08/06
After months of anticipation, the Laurens County “Go Tell” Crusade with Rick Gage will begin Sunday.
Gage, a former collegiate football coach, now leads a large Atlanta-based ministry and his crusade events have been dubbed “small town Billy Graham crusades.”
“We believe Rick’s life-changing message will have a very positive influence on our community,” Skip Evans, chairman of the local crusade, said. Over 40 area churches have been involved in bringing the massive crusade to Laurens County.
Laurens County is approximately 70 percent unchurched, according to publicity chair Don Clark. He said organizers feel a “major revival” in the community is needed.
“We are expecting 2,500 people per night,” Evans said.
In 2005 Rick Gage Ministries held four crusades in four states and 40,000 men, women and children attended.
Rick Stanley, an evangelist and step-brother of Elvis Presley, will be a part of the crusade. Gage brings a praise band that promises to move the crowd and Amy Lowry will sing nightly as well. Sunday night will feature a county-wide mass choir comprised of 150 local church members.
The final night will be geared toward area youth, with UGA football players speaking and free pizza being served. The Youth Pizza Blast will begin at 6 p.m.
The crusade will be held May 7-10 at 7 p.m. nightly at West Laurens High School’s Raider Stadium.
Go Tell Crusade to begin Sunday
Organizers planning for thousands each night
By BRANDY T. MULLIS
05/08/06
After months of anticipation, the Laurens County “Go Tell” Crusade with Rick Gage will begin Sunday.
Gage, a former collegiate football coach, now leads a large Atlanta-based ministry and his crusade events have been dubbed “small town Billy Graham crusades.”
“We believe Rick’s life-changing message will have a very positive influence on our community,” Skip Evans, chairman of the local crusade, said. Over 40 area churches have been involved in bringing the massive crusade to Laurens County.
Laurens County is approximately 70 percent unchurched, according to publicity chair Don Clark. He said organizers feel a “major revival” in the community is needed.
“We are expecting 2,500 people per night,” Evans said.
In 2005 Rick Gage Ministries held four crusades in four states and 40,000 men, women and children attended.
Rick Stanley, an evangelist and step-brother of Elvis Presley, will be a part of the crusade. Gage brings a praise band that promises to move the crowd and Amy Lowry will sing nightly as well. Sunday night will feature a county-wide mass choir comprised of 150 local church members.
The final night will be geared toward area youth, with UGA football players speaking and free pizza being served. The Youth Pizza Blast will begin at 6 p.m.
The crusade will be held May 7-10 at 7 p.m. nightly at West Laurens High School’s Raider Stadium.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
'Small Town Billy Graham' bringing crusade to Dublin
The Macon Telegraph
'Small Town Billy Graham' bringing crusade to Dublin
Rodney Manley, TELEGRAPH STAFF WRITER
Staging a crusade is a lot like getting a team ready for a college football game, says coach-turned evangelist Rick Gage.
Gage remembers the 15- to 18-hour days he put in as a coach at three colleges, including Texas Tech. The days might not be as long now, but there's still a lot of teamwork and game planning required.
"If the preparation has not been done properly, don't expect results. That is the key to a successful evangelism crusade - preparation," Gage said. "It's hard work. It takes a lot of time, a lot of effort. But it's worth it for every soul that is won."
That explains the half-dozen or so trips Gage will have made from his offices in Atlanta to Dublin by the time his next "Go Tell" crusade kicks off May 7 at the West Laurens High football stadium.
Gage, 48, has been dubbed the "Small Town Billy Graham" for his focus on smaller communities. For more than a decade, he has been filling football stadiums in communities ranging in population from 5,000 to 150,000.
"Our vision, our calling, is to do the Billy Graham-type crusade in the county-seat towns of America," said Gage. "There's a lot more Dublin, Georgias, than there are Atlanta, Georgias. People in small towns need Jesus just as much as big towns do."
Gage's father, Freddie Gage, has been a leading evangelist for a half-century, but his son had no plans of following his father into the pulpit. That was before attending a crusade by James Robison and, he said, surrendering "to Christ totally and completely."
He launched his own ministry in 1990. In addition to the crusades, Gage holds summer youth camps and has an overseas ministry that reaches into the former Soviet Union, helping at Russian orphanages and placing some children in U.S. homes.
His crusades often draw well-known guests speakers, including Robison, Jerry Falwell, Florida State coach Bobby Bowden and NFL Hall of Famer Mike Ditka.
Scheduled to speak at the Dublin crusade are Rick Stanley, the stepbrother of Elvis Presley, Pilgrim's Pride Corp. board chairman Bo Pilgrim, and Georgia Bulldogs players Blake Barnes and Brian Mimbs. Georgia coach Mark Richt and Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey will share video testimony on a giant television screen.
He and his crusade staff also visit area prisons, youth homes and high schools. His "On Track" school assembly program uses a "secular message," he said, to discuss choices high-schoolers face with drugs, alcohol abuse, teen suicide and premarital sex.
"We need to remind these kids that they were brought into this world to be a winner in the game called life. We're here to tell them they can be winners, but it starts with making right choices, right decisions."
The Dublin crusade has been months in planning. Gage's crusade director also has made about a half-dozen trips down I-75 and I-16, meeting with "an army of lay leaders" from area churches.
The crusade runs from Sunday, May 7, through Wednesday, May 10. The final night will be geared toward youths, with the UGA players speaking and Gage serving up 350-400 free pizzas.
The "Pizza Blast" is idea borrowed from his father, who started offering free pizza at crusades during the 1960s.
"He knew the hippies would show up to eat free food."
IF YOU GO
What: Go Tell Crusade with evangelist Rick Gage
When: 7 p.m., May 7-10; Pizza Blast at 6 p.m., May 10
Where: West Laurens High football stadium, off Interstate 16 at U.S. 441, Dublin
Cost: Free
Phone: (478) 274-9470
'Small Town Billy Graham' bringing crusade to Dublin
Rodney Manley, TELEGRAPH STAFF WRITER
Staging a crusade is a lot like getting a team ready for a college football game, says coach-turned evangelist Rick Gage.
Gage remembers the 15- to 18-hour days he put in as a coach at three colleges, including Texas Tech. The days might not be as long now, but there's still a lot of teamwork and game planning required.
"If the preparation has not been done properly, don't expect results. That is the key to a successful evangelism crusade - preparation," Gage said. "It's hard work. It takes a lot of time, a lot of effort. But it's worth it for every soul that is won."
That explains the half-dozen or so trips Gage will have made from his offices in Atlanta to Dublin by the time his next "Go Tell" crusade kicks off May 7 at the West Laurens High football stadium.
Gage, 48, has been dubbed the "Small Town Billy Graham" for his focus on smaller communities. For more than a decade, he has been filling football stadiums in communities ranging in population from 5,000 to 150,000.
"Our vision, our calling, is to do the Billy Graham-type crusade in the county-seat towns of America," said Gage. "There's a lot more Dublin, Georgias, than there are Atlanta, Georgias. People in small towns need Jesus just as much as big towns do."
Gage's father, Freddie Gage, has been a leading evangelist for a half-century, but his son had no plans of following his father into the pulpit. That was before attending a crusade by James Robison and, he said, surrendering "to Christ totally and completely."
He launched his own ministry in 1990. In addition to the crusades, Gage holds summer youth camps and has an overseas ministry that reaches into the former Soviet Union, helping at Russian orphanages and placing some children in U.S. homes.
His crusades often draw well-known guests speakers, including Robison, Jerry Falwell, Florida State coach Bobby Bowden and NFL Hall of Famer Mike Ditka.
Scheduled to speak at the Dublin crusade are Rick Stanley, the stepbrother of Elvis Presley, Pilgrim's Pride Corp. board chairman Bo Pilgrim, and Georgia Bulldogs players Blake Barnes and Brian Mimbs. Georgia coach Mark Richt and Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey will share video testimony on a giant television screen.
He and his crusade staff also visit area prisons, youth homes and high schools. His "On Track" school assembly program uses a "secular message," he said, to discuss choices high-schoolers face with drugs, alcohol abuse, teen suicide and premarital sex.
"We need to remind these kids that they were brought into this world to be a winner in the game called life. We're here to tell them they can be winners, but it starts with making right choices, right decisions."
The Dublin crusade has been months in planning. Gage's crusade director also has made about a half-dozen trips down I-75 and I-16, meeting with "an army of lay leaders" from area churches.
The crusade runs from Sunday, May 7, through Wednesday, May 10. The final night will be geared toward youths, with the UGA players speaking and Gage serving up 350-400 free pizzas.
The "Pizza Blast" is idea borrowed from his father, who started offering free pizza at crusades during the 1960s.
"He knew the hippies would show up to eat free food."
IF YOU GO
What: Go Tell Crusade with evangelist Rick Gage
When: 7 p.m., May 7-10; Pizza Blast at 6 p.m., May 10
Where: West Laurens High football stadium, off Interstate 16 at U.S. 441, Dublin
Cost: Free
Phone: (478) 274-9470
Friday, April 21, 2006
Rick Gage Crusade Draws Crowds of More than 13,500
The Messenger
Hartsville, South Carolina
Rick Gage Crusade Draws Crowds of More than 13,500
Four-night event makes history in Hartsville
By Ruth McClellan
Rick Gage has often been labeled the Billy Graham of small town America. There are not many places you can go in Hartsville, South Carolina, which boasts 8,000 as its official population, where people are not still talking about the recent Tri-County Crusade with Evangelist Rick Gage at Kelleytown Stadium.
The local paper, The Messenger, reported the amazing event as drawing more than 13,500 of its citizens for the four-night crusade. By its conclusion, 660 spiritual decisions had been recorded, including 356 first-time professions of faith. More than 100 churches joined forces, forming 13 committees, working together to bring revival to their area.
“The powerful way God moved in this crusade with Rick Gage,” says Co-chairman Jack Westmoreland, “made it the most worthwhile, overwhelming experience of my life.” He chokes back tears as he continues, “It is hard to put into words glorious enough to do it justice. The Spirit of God swept through night after night, saving and changing lives. It is beyond anything I could have imagined this side of heaven.”
Youth night was the culmination of Gage’s outreach to young people of the area through his “On Track” School Assemblies. More than 5,000 students attended these assemblies where Gage talked about life’s choices and addressed issues such as drugs, alcohol abuse, and teen suicide.
The last night of the crusade ended with a youth pizza blast attended by over 1,700 young people. “Young people flooded the altars making decisions for Christ that last night,” said Counseling Chairman, Warren Arthur, of Lakeview Baptist. “We had 100 counselors standing by, but we needed 300. It was phenomenal how powerful and strong the Spirit of God was as the Lord worked in hearts. Many were saved who had no church affiliation at all.”
“As I left the stadium that night,” said Judy Lyles, Prayer Chairperson for the crusade, “I felt as if my heart would burst with thankfulness to God. My husband and three sons had been saved at the crusade. I was overwhelmed with an awesome sense that the work God began in this miraculous crusade will go on and on. We are praying seriously about that.”
Following the crusade, churches in three counties canceled their Sunday evening service plans to conduct testimony services. “We couldn’t do anything else,” said Pastor Gary Colbach of Emmanuel Baptist Church. “People are excited! We couldn’t stop talking about what God had done.
“Our school administrator, Jim Tritle, told us a moving story about one of the students from our Christian school whom he had had to expel the week before the crusade. He had been deeply burdened for that young man. The last night of the crusade someone tapped him on the back. There was that boy. He gave a powerful testimony about how he had never been saved but how the Lord had saved him that night. The glowing stories just went on and on.”
Several who attended the crusade remarked that they had never seen a spiritual awakening of this magnitude in their lives. “The only thing I can think of that could come anywhere close to it was when Freddie Gage, Rick Gage’s father, came here 30 years ago, in 1973” said Iris Rice. “I don’t remember much about the crusade except that many people were saved and a great impact was made at the high school.”
Co-chairman David McFarland of Jerusalem Baptist Church spoke of the exciting future of the Hartsville area, “The revival that was begun by this crusade will always continue. We are making sure of that. Barriers that had been forged for years with denominations and races were broken by the power of God. We are unified in our mission. We are praying together, meeting together, working together, contacting every person who made a decision for Christ and loving our city and our world to Christ.”
“The old-time gospel still works,” says Gage. “Crusade evangelism still works. Saturating our communities across America with the gospel must be done at all costs. It takes time, money, and involvement to reach lost people.”
Gage has witnessed more than 250,000 decisions for Christ through his many evangelistic outreaches in America and abroad. Rick Gage GO TELL Ministries include crusades, summer youth camps, school assemblies, one-day church revivals, and overseas mission trips.
For more information about Rick Gage GO TELL Ministries, please call 1-866-I-GO-TELL; email at info@gotellministries.com or visit his website at www.gotellministries.com.
McClellan is a writer for the Rick Gage Crusade team.
Hartsville, South Carolina
Rick Gage Crusade Draws Crowds of More than 13,500
Four-night event makes history in Hartsville
By Ruth McClellan
Rick Gage has often been labeled the Billy Graham of small town America. There are not many places you can go in Hartsville, South Carolina, which boasts 8,000 as its official population, where people are not still talking about the recent Tri-County Crusade with Evangelist Rick Gage at Kelleytown Stadium.
The local paper, The Messenger, reported the amazing event as drawing more than 13,500 of its citizens for the four-night crusade. By its conclusion, 660 spiritual decisions had been recorded, including 356 first-time professions of faith. More than 100 churches joined forces, forming 13 committees, working together to bring revival to their area.
“The powerful way God moved in this crusade with Rick Gage,” says Co-chairman Jack Westmoreland, “made it the most worthwhile, overwhelming experience of my life.” He chokes back tears as he continues, “It is hard to put into words glorious enough to do it justice. The Spirit of God swept through night after night, saving and changing lives. It is beyond anything I could have imagined this side of heaven.”
Youth night was the culmination of Gage’s outreach to young people of the area through his “On Track” School Assemblies. More than 5,000 students attended these assemblies where Gage talked about life’s choices and addressed issues such as drugs, alcohol abuse, and teen suicide.
The last night of the crusade ended with a youth pizza blast attended by over 1,700 young people. “Young people flooded the altars making decisions for Christ that last night,” said Counseling Chairman, Warren Arthur, of Lakeview Baptist. “We had 100 counselors standing by, but we needed 300. It was phenomenal how powerful and strong the Spirit of God was as the Lord worked in hearts. Many were saved who had no church affiliation at all.”
“As I left the stadium that night,” said Judy Lyles, Prayer Chairperson for the crusade, “I felt as if my heart would burst with thankfulness to God. My husband and three sons had been saved at the crusade. I was overwhelmed with an awesome sense that the work God began in this miraculous crusade will go on and on. We are praying seriously about that.”
Following the crusade, churches in three counties canceled their Sunday evening service plans to conduct testimony services. “We couldn’t do anything else,” said Pastor Gary Colbach of Emmanuel Baptist Church. “People are excited! We couldn’t stop talking about what God had done.
“Our school administrator, Jim Tritle, told us a moving story about one of the students from our Christian school whom he had had to expel the week before the crusade. He had been deeply burdened for that young man. The last night of the crusade someone tapped him on the back. There was that boy. He gave a powerful testimony about how he had never been saved but how the Lord had saved him that night. The glowing stories just went on and on.”
Several who attended the crusade remarked that they had never seen a spiritual awakening of this magnitude in their lives. “The only thing I can think of that could come anywhere close to it was when Freddie Gage, Rick Gage’s father, came here 30 years ago, in 1973” said Iris Rice. “I don’t remember much about the crusade except that many people were saved and a great impact was made at the high school.”
Co-chairman David McFarland of Jerusalem Baptist Church spoke of the exciting future of the Hartsville area, “The revival that was begun by this crusade will always continue. We are making sure of that. Barriers that had been forged for years with denominations and races were broken by the power of God. We are unified in our mission. We are praying together, meeting together, working together, contacting every person who made a decision for Christ and loving our city and our world to Christ.”
“The old-time gospel still works,” says Gage. “Crusade evangelism still works. Saturating our communities across America with the gospel must be done at all costs. It takes time, money, and involvement to reach lost people.”
Gage has witnessed more than 250,000 decisions for Christ through his many evangelistic outreaches in America and abroad. Rick Gage GO TELL Ministries include crusades, summer youth camps, school assemblies, one-day church revivals, and overseas mission trips.
For more information about Rick Gage GO TELL Ministries, please call 1-866-I-GO-TELL; email at info@gotellministries.com or visit his website at www.gotellministries.com.
McClellan is a writer for the Rick Gage Crusade team.
Tuesday, March 7, 2006
The Impossible Becomes Possible in Lincoln County, Georgia
Rick Gage Crusade Storms Football Haven
The little town of Lincolnton, Georgia, nestled on the eastern border of the state, boasts a population of 1,595. Except for its high school football success, it is a town that has drawn little attention. That is, until the Rick Gage Crusade came to town.
Lincoln County’s 8,348 citizens were astonished when thousands flocked to Buddy Bufford Stadium at the local Lincoln County High School for a four-night crusade. By the conclusion of the Rick Gage Crusade in this little unknown town, 627 spiritual decisions had been recorded, including 391 first-time professions of faith.
“No one believed it could happen in our small town,” said Andy Warner, a member of Lincolnton First Assembly of God Church, who volunteered on six different crusade planning committees. “When it was first discussed, most agreed, ‘We simply can’t do this. It couldn’t possibly succeed.’ But we went ahead anyway. More than 30 churches came together to work and pray, and then God took over. What happened is the most overwhelming and marvelous thing I have ever seen!”
Frank Hester, Area Director for Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Lincoln County High School’s Football Team Chaplain, is thrilled at what occurred in the lives of many tough football players as a result of the powerful moving of God’s Spirit at the crusade. “Isn’t it just like God,” he said, “that we’re known for football in Lincoln County, and that’s where countless lives were changed for all eternity—on the football field!”
“One night I worried as I watched five star football players from a rival high school walk across the football field. I wondered if they had come to make a scene. Tears coursed down my face as I watched them kneel and in brokenness each give his life to Christ.”
Young and old alike packed the stands of the football stadium, and then flooded the football field night after night when the invitation was given—giving their lives to Christ and getting right with God.
“I have been a Christian for more than 50 years,” said Prayer Chairman Jim Neal of Double Branches Baptist Church, “But this crusade was out of this world. Many lives were changed; Lincoln County was changed; I was changed.”
Of the 30 football players at Lincolnton High, 22 made professions of faith in Christ during the crusade. There has been a revival among the coaching staff, most of whom were at the crusade. They are now leading Bible studies in Lincolnton to facilitate the Christian growth of their players.
Head football coach Larry Campbell is the winningest high school football coach in the state of Georgia. “It is hard to put into words what this crusade meant in my life and in the lives of those God touched and changed,” he says. “I have lived in Lincolnton for 34 years and nothing can come close to what happened during the crusade. I can’t believe I was reluctant at first, thinking we couldn’t pull off something so big. We’re just a tiny town where the largest business is the Board of Education. If we could do it in Lincolnton, it can be done anywhere.”
Dana O’Neil, secretary of Lincoln County High, and her husband, Alex, members of Kiokee Baptist Church, were in charge of counseling for the crusade. “God accomplished what to us was an impossible task,” she shares. “And what He continues to do is nothing short of miraculous. The crusade was only the beginning. Many decisions that were made at the crusade were not even recorded. Teens are still coming to Christ. I’ve seen kids getting saved in the halls at school. Scores of teens who made decisions are now in church and in Bible studies.”
“We started a Bible study in our home the Monday night after the crusade. We had a young man come who had been drunk the last time he was at our house. Now he is studying the Bible and leading others to Christ. Another Bible study is being led by the J.V. Girls’ Cheerleading Coach. One of Rick Gage’s staff members is coming for a follow-up rally, and we’ve already planned a rally for the fall before school starts. What God started will never die.”
“This crusade is the best thing that has ever happened to Lincoln,” said counselor Cedric Pitts. “It crossed racial lines and brought us together in love and unity. It is the first time I’ve seen Lincoln County come together for anything other than a football game, and this time we were all on the same side! God left a mark on my life that will never be erased.”
Pastor Gary Johnson of Lincolnton Baptist Church is preparing to baptize nine of 14 from his church who made decisions at the crusade. “The Rick Gage Crusade was a spiritual milestone” he said. “I’ve never seen anything like it. Churches worked together to do outreach across denominational lines. God has changed our community forever.”
Price McWhorter, Crusade Chairman and member of Double Branches Baptist Church, was credited with putting his “heart and soul” into crusade preparation. He expressed deep gratitude to the Lord for the privilege of being part of the crusade. “It is impossible to put into words how moving it is to see two people whom you work with, in their 50s and 60s, give their lives to Christ. Nothing compares to that kind of joy!”
“God had His hand on our little town when he brought Rick Gage to us,” says Marcene Powell, Finance Chairperson for the crusade. “What at first seemed impossible turned out to be miraculous. God multiplied everything we did because you cannot outgive or outplan Him. This town saw wonderful miracles because we stepped out in faith.”
Pastor Russell Davis of New Work Baptist Church agrees, “God lit a fire in this county that will not go away. Twelve of my members served as counselors at the crusade. This strengthened their faith tremendously. Our congregation is so excited that they do not want to stop sharing their faith. The work has just begun.”
The Gage staff conducted luncheons at local restaurants every day of the crusade where glowing testimonies were given. One especially moving testimony was from medical Doctor Robert Williams. “The Rick Gage Crusade is the best thing that has ever happened in this community. God had not been in our home since the death of our 21-year-old son on August 3, 2002. But on Wednesday night of the crusade, my wife and I went down to rededicate our lives, get rid of bitterness, and promise to get our two girls back to church. Our healing has begun.”
During the days of the crusade, Rick Gage and his crusade team members visited local schools, presenting Gage’s “On Track” School Assembly Program which deals with life’s choices and addresses the dangers of issues such as drugs, alcohol abuse, teen suicide, and premarital sex. Team members also visited the county jail where fifty inmates accepted Christ as Savior.
Rick Gage has witnessed more than 250,000 decisions for Christ through his many evangelistic outreaches in America and abroad. Rick Gage GO TELL Ministries include crusades, summer youth camps, school assemblies, one-day church revivals, and overseas mission trips.
“The old-time gospel still works,” says Gage. “It is hope for the individual, for society, and for the world. Saturating our communities across America with the gospel must be done at all costs. It takes time, money, and involvement to reach lost people. But it will be eternally worth it one day.”
The little town of Lincolnton, Georgia, nestled on the eastern border of the state, boasts a population of 1,595. Except for its high school football success, it is a town that has drawn little attention. That is, until the Rick Gage Crusade came to town.
Lincoln County’s 8,348 citizens were astonished when thousands flocked to Buddy Bufford Stadium at the local Lincoln County High School for a four-night crusade. By the conclusion of the Rick Gage Crusade in this little unknown town, 627 spiritual decisions had been recorded, including 391 first-time professions of faith.
“No one believed it could happen in our small town,” said Andy Warner, a member of Lincolnton First Assembly of God Church, who volunteered on six different crusade planning committees. “When it was first discussed, most agreed, ‘We simply can’t do this. It couldn’t possibly succeed.’ But we went ahead anyway. More than 30 churches came together to work and pray, and then God took over. What happened is the most overwhelming and marvelous thing I have ever seen!”
Frank Hester, Area Director for Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Lincoln County High School’s Football Team Chaplain, is thrilled at what occurred in the lives of many tough football players as a result of the powerful moving of God’s Spirit at the crusade. “Isn’t it just like God,” he said, “that we’re known for football in Lincoln County, and that’s where countless lives were changed for all eternity—on the football field!”
“One night I worried as I watched five star football players from a rival high school walk across the football field. I wondered if they had come to make a scene. Tears coursed down my face as I watched them kneel and in brokenness each give his life to Christ.”
Young and old alike packed the stands of the football stadium, and then flooded the football field night after night when the invitation was given—giving their lives to Christ and getting right with God.
“I have been a Christian for more than 50 years,” said Prayer Chairman Jim Neal of Double Branches Baptist Church, “But this crusade was out of this world. Many lives were changed; Lincoln County was changed; I was changed.”
Of the 30 football players at Lincolnton High, 22 made professions of faith in Christ during the crusade. There has been a revival among the coaching staff, most of whom were at the crusade. They are now leading Bible studies in Lincolnton to facilitate the Christian growth of their players.
Head football coach Larry Campbell is the winningest high school football coach in the state of Georgia. “It is hard to put into words what this crusade meant in my life and in the lives of those God touched and changed,” he says. “I have lived in Lincolnton for 34 years and nothing can come close to what happened during the crusade. I can’t believe I was reluctant at first, thinking we couldn’t pull off something so big. We’re just a tiny town where the largest business is the Board of Education. If we could do it in Lincolnton, it can be done anywhere.”
Dana O’Neil, secretary of Lincoln County High, and her husband, Alex, members of Kiokee Baptist Church, were in charge of counseling for the crusade. “God accomplished what to us was an impossible task,” she shares. “And what He continues to do is nothing short of miraculous. The crusade was only the beginning. Many decisions that were made at the crusade were not even recorded. Teens are still coming to Christ. I’ve seen kids getting saved in the halls at school. Scores of teens who made decisions are now in church and in Bible studies.”
“We started a Bible study in our home the Monday night after the crusade. We had a young man come who had been drunk the last time he was at our house. Now he is studying the Bible and leading others to Christ. Another Bible study is being led by the J.V. Girls’ Cheerleading Coach. One of Rick Gage’s staff members is coming for a follow-up rally, and we’ve already planned a rally for the fall before school starts. What God started will never die.”
“This crusade is the best thing that has ever happened to Lincoln,” said counselor Cedric Pitts. “It crossed racial lines and brought us together in love and unity. It is the first time I’ve seen Lincoln County come together for anything other than a football game, and this time we were all on the same side! God left a mark on my life that will never be erased.”
Pastor Gary Johnson of Lincolnton Baptist Church is preparing to baptize nine of 14 from his church who made decisions at the crusade. “The Rick Gage Crusade was a spiritual milestone” he said. “I’ve never seen anything like it. Churches worked together to do outreach across denominational lines. God has changed our community forever.”
Price McWhorter, Crusade Chairman and member of Double Branches Baptist Church, was credited with putting his “heart and soul” into crusade preparation. He expressed deep gratitude to the Lord for the privilege of being part of the crusade. “It is impossible to put into words how moving it is to see two people whom you work with, in their 50s and 60s, give their lives to Christ. Nothing compares to that kind of joy!”
“God had His hand on our little town when he brought Rick Gage to us,” says Marcene Powell, Finance Chairperson for the crusade. “What at first seemed impossible turned out to be miraculous. God multiplied everything we did because you cannot outgive or outplan Him. This town saw wonderful miracles because we stepped out in faith.”
Pastor Russell Davis of New Work Baptist Church agrees, “God lit a fire in this county that will not go away. Twelve of my members served as counselors at the crusade. This strengthened their faith tremendously. Our congregation is so excited that they do not want to stop sharing their faith. The work has just begun.”
The Gage staff conducted luncheons at local restaurants every day of the crusade where glowing testimonies were given. One especially moving testimony was from medical Doctor Robert Williams. “The Rick Gage Crusade is the best thing that has ever happened in this community. God had not been in our home since the death of our 21-year-old son on August 3, 2002. But on Wednesday night of the crusade, my wife and I went down to rededicate our lives, get rid of bitterness, and promise to get our two girls back to church. Our healing has begun.”
During the days of the crusade, Rick Gage and his crusade team members visited local schools, presenting Gage’s “On Track” School Assembly Program which deals with life’s choices and addresses the dangers of issues such as drugs, alcohol abuse, teen suicide, and premarital sex. Team members also visited the county jail where fifty inmates accepted Christ as Savior.
Rick Gage has witnessed more than 250,000 decisions for Christ through his many evangelistic outreaches in America and abroad. Rick Gage GO TELL Ministries include crusades, summer youth camps, school assemblies, one-day church revivals, and overseas mission trips.
“The old-time gospel still works,” says Gage. “It is hope for the individual, for society, and for the world. Saturating our communities across America with the gospel must be done at all costs. It takes time, money, and involvement to reach lost people. But it will be eternally worth it one day.”
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Making History in Emanuel County
Making History in Emanuel County
Rick Gage Crusade Draws Crowds of More Than 10,000
Wesleyan Christian Advocate, By the Swainsboro Blade
Evangelist Rick Gage has been filling football stadiums for more than a decade in small towns across America. Many were skeptical that he could do it in Swainsboro which claims a population of only 6,943.
Emanuel County’s citizens were astonished when thousands flocked to Tiger Stadium at the local Swainsboro High School for a four-night crusade. By the conclusion of the Rick Gage Crusade, 878 spiritual decisions had been recorded, including 524 first-time professions of faith.
More than 40 churches worked together in what pastors claim is the greatest sense of unity and spirit of cooperation of churches ever seen in Emanuel County. Churches came together across denominational lines with a united goal of loving and reaching people.
Crusade Chairman Russell Collins and Co-chairman Pastor Jamie Archer worked on crusade planning and preparation for over a year and enlisted more than 200 committee workers.
“The crusade was absolutely the most wonderful move of God this county has ever experienced,” says Archer. “The mighty outpouring of God’s Spirit sparked a revival that will continue. God moved in power in countless lives, and the huge impact of this crusade has changed this county forever. We are already working diligently to follow-up on the many decisions that were made. Blundale Baptist will baptize more than 50 people in the days ahead.”
Among the many who will be baptized will be five family members of one of Pastor Archer’s members who attended church alone for years. Words are inadequate to describe her joy at seeing her husband, three grown children, and future-son-in-law make first-time professions of faith in Christ during the crusade.
Milton Gray, Finance Chairman for the crusade and member of First United Methodist Church, marvels at the provision of God. “The crusade far surpassed any of my expectations. Our community is on fire for Christ now. Everywhere you go, people are talking about what God did and continues to do.
“God even worked in our budget. Although it was large, everything came together perfectly. Our financial response was almost identical to our budget. It was the best money we ever spent. A call for Christ was issued like we’ve never had before in this community, and God showed up and changed and transformed lives for all eternity.”
Miracle stories abound in Emanuel County. “God has visited our county in a miraculous way,” said Cail Pressey, Pastor of Hawhammock Baptist Church. “Relationships were healed; families were reunited; prominent citizens were led to faith in Christ by people broken with love for others; church members were saved; denominational and racial barriers came down. There is a different atmosphere in our community.”
Counseling Chairman, Pastor Ray Jenkins, of Oak Chapel, is enthusiastic about continuing what the crusade started. “My heart raced,” he says, “as I looked at those standing in line waiting for counselors, and there stood my grandson and his fiancé. What a personally elating time it was to lead them to faith in Christ. A couple I had been talking to and praying for for a year and a half got saved at the crusade. The miracle stories just go on and on, and we will see to it that they continue.”
Businessman Ken Warnock recounts the thrill of seeing so many come to Christ. “God answers prayer,” he said. “All our prayer vigil rallies and preparation were rewarded as God saved so many. How do you describe the tremendous impact of seeing a hardened, 78-year-old man, a 74 year-old woman, or a 20-year-old who had just moved to the community come to Christ? As Christians, we have been renewed, refocused, and recommissioned.”
Karen Carter worked diligently to make the crusade a success. “My husband was so excited about the crusade and what God was doing,” she says, “that even though he works nights, he took his supper break to park cars. My ten-year-old son attended planning meetings with me and was jubilant to be included as a helper.
“I still can’t get over the blessing of seeing several young guys get saved who had come to the crusade with coolers of beer in their cars. Instead of leaving the crusade to go party as they had planned, they went to the fairgrounds and poured out every bottle of alcohol after they gave their lives to Christ. It was amazing! There is no greater joy than being a part of seeing people come to Christ in so great a way.”
Betty Dunn, wife of Associate Pastor Fred Dunn, speaks with intense emotion about the crusade, “Our church worked tirelessly, with an enormous vision for lost souls. I humbly stand in awe at what was the most glorious, mighty moving of God I have ever witnessed. I am beside myself with gratitude that I was able to have witnessed people saved as they stood in the vast, marvelous presence of the Holy Spirit.”
The first night of the crusade, Bo Pilgrim, Chairman and CEO of Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, the second largest poultry corporation in the world and a Fortune 500 Company, gave a stirring testimony. He concluded his talk by presenting each person in the crowd of 2,000 with a gospel tract in which was included in its folds a twenty-dollar bill.
Rick Stanley, an evangelist and step-brother of Elvis Presley, gave the testimony of his life story Monday evening of the crusade. More than 130 youth and adults flooded the football field where trained counselors assisted them in making spiritual decisions.
Swainsboro native, Ben Troupe, starting tight end for the Tennessee Titians, shared a vibrant testimony with Tuesday night’s crusade crowd.
During the days of the crusade, Gage and his crusade team conducted daily noon luncheons focused on vibrant testimonies and prayer. They visited three prisons where 70 inmates made first-time professions of faith in Christ. Decisions were also made at the Mel Blount Youth Home and the Paul Anderson Youth Home.
The GO TELL Crusade team also visited local middle and high schools, conducting Gage’s On Track School Assembly Program dealing with life’s choices and addressing the dangers of issues such as drugs, alcohol abuse, teen suicide, and premarital sex. Students were invited to attend the crusade.
Wednesday night was the culmination of Gage’s outreach to Emanuel County when more than 4,500 attended the crusade, including 2,500 youth who were treated to a free pizza blast prior to the evening service. University of Georgia first-string football players Russ Tanner, Josh Brock, and D.J. Shockley held the students at rapt attention as they shared their personal testimonies and challenged young people and adults to live for Christ. After Rick Gage preached, hundreds flooded the altars, culminating in 458 decisions for Christ that night.
“When I looked up into the stands, I was awe-struck by the number of teen-agers,” said Pastor Archer. “We had worked and prayed, and God swept scores into the kingdom. It was one of the most absolutely wonderful moves of God I have ever seen.”
Coaches Brandon Jernigan and David Johnson of Swainsboro High School were Co-chairmen of the crusade’s Youth Committee. “I am overwhelmed by what God did,” says Jernigan. “We prayed over every seat in Tiger Stadium, and they were filled just about every night. After the stadium filled on Wednesday night we had to seat kids anywhere we could fit them, all over the grass and on the track.
“Wednesday night was a sight I will remember forever as young people poured to the altars in droves. Our high school is known for its athletic prominence, but the victory of this crusade far outweighed any human victory we’ve ever experienced.”
Sunday evening after the crusade, Coach Jernigan’s church service did not include a sermon. Says Jernigan, “Our people overflowed with praise reports and testimonies, and it turned into a Praise and Worship Service. Our churches and our entire community have been revived!”
Rick Stanley, who has spoken at four Billy Graham crusades, says of Rick Gage, “Rick Gage has a heart for the towns that most people overlook. His mentality is that there is nothing small in the Kingdom of God. And God moves in mighty ways like He did here in Emanuel County.”
“God has burdened my heart to take the gospel to as many towns as possible in my lifetime,” Gage says. “Everywhere I go, people are personally embracing the gospel message. It is hope for the individual, for society, and for the world. Saturating our communities across America with the gospel must be done at all costs. It takes time, money, and involvement to reach lost people, but it will be eternally worth it one day.”
Rick Gage has witnessed more than 250,000 decisions for Christ through his many evangelistic outreaches in America and abroad. Rick Gage GO TELL Ministries include crusades, summer youth camps, school assemblies, GO TELL Sundays, and overseas mission trips.”
For more information about Rick Gage GO TELL Ministries, please call 1-866-I-GO-TELL; email at info@gotellministries.com or visit his website at www.gotellministries.com.
Rick Gage Crusade Draws Crowds of More Than 10,000
Wesleyan Christian Advocate, By the Swainsboro Blade
Evangelist Rick Gage has been filling football stadiums for more than a decade in small towns across America. Many were skeptical that he could do it in Swainsboro which claims a population of only 6,943.
Emanuel County’s citizens were astonished when thousands flocked to Tiger Stadium at the local Swainsboro High School for a four-night crusade. By the conclusion of the Rick Gage Crusade, 878 spiritual decisions had been recorded, including 524 first-time professions of faith.
More than 40 churches worked together in what pastors claim is the greatest sense of unity and spirit of cooperation of churches ever seen in Emanuel County. Churches came together across denominational lines with a united goal of loving and reaching people.
Crusade Chairman Russell Collins and Co-chairman Pastor Jamie Archer worked on crusade planning and preparation for over a year and enlisted more than 200 committee workers.
“The crusade was absolutely the most wonderful move of God this county has ever experienced,” says Archer. “The mighty outpouring of God’s Spirit sparked a revival that will continue. God moved in power in countless lives, and the huge impact of this crusade has changed this county forever. We are already working diligently to follow-up on the many decisions that were made. Blundale Baptist will baptize more than 50 people in the days ahead.”
Among the many who will be baptized will be five family members of one of Pastor Archer’s members who attended church alone for years. Words are inadequate to describe her joy at seeing her husband, three grown children, and future-son-in-law make first-time professions of faith in Christ during the crusade.
Milton Gray, Finance Chairman for the crusade and member of First United Methodist Church, marvels at the provision of God. “The crusade far surpassed any of my expectations. Our community is on fire for Christ now. Everywhere you go, people are talking about what God did and continues to do.
“God even worked in our budget. Although it was large, everything came together perfectly. Our financial response was almost identical to our budget. It was the best money we ever spent. A call for Christ was issued like we’ve never had before in this community, and God showed up and changed and transformed lives for all eternity.”
Miracle stories abound in Emanuel County. “God has visited our county in a miraculous way,” said Cail Pressey, Pastor of Hawhammock Baptist Church. “Relationships were healed; families were reunited; prominent citizens were led to faith in Christ by people broken with love for others; church members were saved; denominational and racial barriers came down. There is a different atmosphere in our community.”
Counseling Chairman, Pastor Ray Jenkins, of Oak Chapel, is enthusiastic about continuing what the crusade started. “My heart raced,” he says, “as I looked at those standing in line waiting for counselors, and there stood my grandson and his fiancé. What a personally elating time it was to lead them to faith in Christ. A couple I had been talking to and praying for for a year and a half got saved at the crusade. The miracle stories just go on and on, and we will see to it that they continue.”
Businessman Ken Warnock recounts the thrill of seeing so many come to Christ. “God answers prayer,” he said. “All our prayer vigil rallies and preparation were rewarded as God saved so many. How do you describe the tremendous impact of seeing a hardened, 78-year-old man, a 74 year-old woman, or a 20-year-old who had just moved to the community come to Christ? As Christians, we have been renewed, refocused, and recommissioned.”
Karen Carter worked diligently to make the crusade a success. “My husband was so excited about the crusade and what God was doing,” she says, “that even though he works nights, he took his supper break to park cars. My ten-year-old son attended planning meetings with me and was jubilant to be included as a helper.
“I still can’t get over the blessing of seeing several young guys get saved who had come to the crusade with coolers of beer in their cars. Instead of leaving the crusade to go party as they had planned, they went to the fairgrounds and poured out every bottle of alcohol after they gave their lives to Christ. It was amazing! There is no greater joy than being a part of seeing people come to Christ in so great a way.”
Betty Dunn, wife of Associate Pastor Fred Dunn, speaks with intense emotion about the crusade, “Our church worked tirelessly, with an enormous vision for lost souls. I humbly stand in awe at what was the most glorious, mighty moving of God I have ever witnessed. I am beside myself with gratitude that I was able to have witnessed people saved as they stood in the vast, marvelous presence of the Holy Spirit.”
The first night of the crusade, Bo Pilgrim, Chairman and CEO of Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, the second largest poultry corporation in the world and a Fortune 500 Company, gave a stirring testimony. He concluded his talk by presenting each person in the crowd of 2,000 with a gospel tract in which was included in its folds a twenty-dollar bill.
Rick Stanley, an evangelist and step-brother of Elvis Presley, gave the testimony of his life story Monday evening of the crusade. More than 130 youth and adults flooded the football field where trained counselors assisted them in making spiritual decisions.
Swainsboro native, Ben Troupe, starting tight end for the Tennessee Titians, shared a vibrant testimony with Tuesday night’s crusade crowd.
During the days of the crusade, Gage and his crusade team conducted daily noon luncheons focused on vibrant testimonies and prayer. They visited three prisons where 70 inmates made first-time professions of faith in Christ. Decisions were also made at the Mel Blount Youth Home and the Paul Anderson Youth Home.
The GO TELL Crusade team also visited local middle and high schools, conducting Gage’s On Track School Assembly Program dealing with life’s choices and addressing the dangers of issues such as drugs, alcohol abuse, teen suicide, and premarital sex. Students were invited to attend the crusade.
Wednesday night was the culmination of Gage’s outreach to Emanuel County when more than 4,500 attended the crusade, including 2,500 youth who were treated to a free pizza blast prior to the evening service. University of Georgia first-string football players Russ Tanner, Josh Brock, and D.J. Shockley held the students at rapt attention as they shared their personal testimonies and challenged young people and adults to live for Christ. After Rick Gage preached, hundreds flooded the altars, culminating in 458 decisions for Christ that night.
“When I looked up into the stands, I was awe-struck by the number of teen-agers,” said Pastor Archer. “We had worked and prayed, and God swept scores into the kingdom. It was one of the most absolutely wonderful moves of God I have ever seen.”
Coaches Brandon Jernigan and David Johnson of Swainsboro High School were Co-chairmen of the crusade’s Youth Committee. “I am overwhelmed by what God did,” says Jernigan. “We prayed over every seat in Tiger Stadium, and they were filled just about every night. After the stadium filled on Wednesday night we had to seat kids anywhere we could fit them, all over the grass and on the track.
“Wednesday night was a sight I will remember forever as young people poured to the altars in droves. Our high school is known for its athletic prominence, but the victory of this crusade far outweighed any human victory we’ve ever experienced.”
Sunday evening after the crusade, Coach Jernigan’s church service did not include a sermon. Says Jernigan, “Our people overflowed with praise reports and testimonies, and it turned into a Praise and Worship Service. Our churches and our entire community have been revived!”
Rick Stanley, who has spoken at four Billy Graham crusades, says of Rick Gage, “Rick Gage has a heart for the towns that most people overlook. His mentality is that there is nothing small in the Kingdom of God. And God moves in mighty ways like He did here in Emanuel County.”
“God has burdened my heart to take the gospel to as many towns as possible in my lifetime,” Gage says. “Everywhere I go, people are personally embracing the gospel message. It is hope for the individual, for society, and for the world. Saturating our communities across America with the gospel must be done at all costs. It takes time, money, and involvement to reach lost people, but it will be eternally worth it one day.”
Rick Gage has witnessed more than 250,000 decisions for Christ through his many evangelistic outreaches in America and abroad. Rick Gage GO TELL Ministries include crusades, summer youth camps, school assemblies, GO TELL Sundays, and overseas mission trips.”
For more information about Rick Gage GO TELL Ministries, please call 1-866-I-GO-TELL; email at info@gotellministries.com or visit his website at www.gotellministries.com.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Spirit of God Sweeps through Fall Crusades
“It was fantastic to see different denominations working together. That is the thing I will take from the crusade the most. I’ve already talked to some other pastors about possibly doing a worship celebration for all denominations once a year.”
- Pastor Stanley Kilgore
North Gardendale Baptist Church
“This has had a great impact on our community already. I don’t think we will truly know the impact for years to come.”
- Pastor Gerald Brown
Warrior First Baptist Church
“What God did was incredible. The crusade had a tremendous impact on our community. The enthusiasm of the young people was out of this world. The glow and excitement on their faces and how they brought their friends was a precious thing to see. We’ll be baptizing many over the next three or four weeks. How thrilling it is that our strong agricultural community – with its abundant harvests – should be blessed with the greatest harvest of all – precious souls brought into the Kingdom of God by the hundreds.”
- Pastor Rodney Weatherly
First Baptist Church Dalhart
“The crusade was an awesome spiritual experience. It really got to me that something so huge could be so personal. It was a wonderful thing to counsel every evening and to see the miracle of changed lives. Young people came by the droves – many of whom I’d helped and cried with.”
- Dr. Matt Turner
Dalhart Family Medical Clinic
- Pastor Stanley Kilgore
North Gardendale Baptist Church
“This has had a great impact on our community already. I don’t think we will truly know the impact for years to come.”
- Pastor Gerald Brown
Warrior First Baptist Church
“What God did was incredible. The crusade had a tremendous impact on our community. The enthusiasm of the young people was out of this world. The glow and excitement on their faces and how they brought their friends was a precious thing to see. We’ll be baptizing many over the next three or four weeks. How thrilling it is that our strong agricultural community – with its abundant harvests – should be blessed with the greatest harvest of all – precious souls brought into the Kingdom of God by the hundreds.”
- Pastor Rodney Weatherly
First Baptist Church Dalhart
“The crusade was an awesome spiritual experience. It really got to me that something so huge could be so personal. It was a wonderful thing to counsel every evening and to see the miracle of changed lives. Young people came by the droves – many of whom I’d helped and cried with.”
- Dr. Matt Turner
Dalhart Family Medical Clinic
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Getting Ready to Go Tell
By Natalie Davis
Over 700 people attended a banquet held at Heart of Georgia Technical College’s DuBose Porter Business & Industry Training Center to hear speaker Rick Gage in hopes of organizing to bring his crusade message to Laurens County. Gage, a former college football coach, now leads a large Atlanta-based ministry. Last year, his Rick Gage Ministries held four crusades with over 40,000 in attendance. Area churches have teamed in hopes of raising funds to bring a crusade to Laurens County May 7-10 at Raider Stadium.
Over 700 people attended a banquet held at Heart of Georgia Technical College’s DuBose Porter Business & Industry Training Center to hear speaker Rick Gage in hopes of organizing to bring his crusade message to Laurens County. Gage, a former college football coach, now leads a large Atlanta-based ministry. Last year, his Rick Gage Ministries held four crusades with over 40,000 in attendance. Area churches have teamed in hopes of raising funds to bring a crusade to Laurens County May 7-10 at Raider Stadium.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Rick Gage Crusade coming to Laurens County
Courier Herald
Rick Gage Crusade coming to Laurens County
Planning event to be held Monday night, volunteers welcome
01/20/06
By BRANDY T. MULLIS
Recently, the churches of Laurens County were presented with the opportunity to host a Middle Georgia “Go Tell” Crusade with Rick Gage. “We are very excited that Rick Gage is holding a crusade in Dublin. He is a dynamic, much sought-after speaker who is making a difference in communities across America,” said Skip Evans, chairman of the local crusade. “Rick challenges, inspires and motivates people of all ages and we believe his life-changing message will have a very positive influence on our community.” Gage, a former collegiate football coach, now leads a large Atlanta-based ministry and his crusade events have been called “small town Billy Graham crusades.” “We feel like this can truly make a change here,” publicity chair Don Clark said, noting that Laurens County is approximately 70 percent unchurched. “We need a major revival in this community.” A successful crusade was held in Swainsboro last year. Organizers hope to continue that here. In 2005 Rick Gage Ministries held four crusades in four states and 40,000 men, women and children attended. As with Billy Graham crusades, local churches work together to make the crusades happen and then do follow-up events. “In order to be successful, all churches, all denominations, need to become involved in this crusade,” Clark said. An event this big will require a great community effort. A banquet will be held Monday night at Heart of Georgia Technical College’s Porter Center at 7 p.m. to kick off the event. Rick Gage will speak, and plans for the crusade will be outlined. Organizers encourage anyone who would like to help to attend the banquet. Tickets for the banquet are available through local churches or by calling 275-6750. The crusade will be held May 7-10 at West Laurens High School’s Raider Stadium.
Rick Gage Crusade coming to Laurens County
Planning event to be held Monday night, volunteers welcome
01/20/06
By BRANDY T. MULLIS
Recently, the churches of Laurens County were presented with the opportunity to host a Middle Georgia “Go Tell” Crusade with Rick Gage. “We are very excited that Rick Gage is holding a crusade in Dublin. He is a dynamic, much sought-after speaker who is making a difference in communities across America,” said Skip Evans, chairman of the local crusade. “Rick challenges, inspires and motivates people of all ages and we believe his life-changing message will have a very positive influence on our community.” Gage, a former collegiate football coach, now leads a large Atlanta-based ministry and his crusade events have been called “small town Billy Graham crusades.” “We feel like this can truly make a change here,” publicity chair Don Clark said, noting that Laurens County is approximately 70 percent unchurched. “We need a major revival in this community.” A successful crusade was held in Swainsboro last year. Organizers hope to continue that here. In 2005 Rick Gage Ministries held four crusades in four states and 40,000 men, women and children attended. As with Billy Graham crusades, local churches work together to make the crusades happen and then do follow-up events. “In order to be successful, all churches, all denominations, need to become involved in this crusade,” Clark said. An event this big will require a great community effort. A banquet will be held Monday night at Heart of Georgia Technical College’s Porter Center at 7 p.m. to kick off the event. Rick Gage will speak, and plans for the crusade will be outlined. Organizers encourage anyone who would like to help to attend the banquet. Tickets for the banquet are available through local churches or by calling 275-6750. The crusade will be held May 7-10 at West Laurens High School’s Raider Stadium.
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